Learning to listen
Context is important. I've been spending some time listening to political figures "quote" things... but ignore the context. So often what surrounds a quotation has a profound effect on how one should interpret the words. The Bible study I attended on Thursday also dealt with a passage with an "obvious and plain" meaning, until one looked at the paragraph that preceded it. Learning to listen to the complete thought or idea is important. When communicating directly with a person we need to listen to not just the words, but the thoughts and ideas behind them.
My writing is inspired by a conversation I recently had with a young gentleman of my acquaintance. While I can see us becoming good friends in the future at the moment we are acquaintances, and that is just fine. J and I ran into him at lunch recently, and he asked if he could join us. My acquaintance, V, knows that we are a same-sex couple. He was asking some personal questions about our relationship, and our life. And here is where I was reminded that truly listening is so critical.
V was asking sincere questions. My guess is that he doesn't know many (any) gay, married, church-going folk (a.k.a really boring couple). In another tone of voice, the questions could have been quite insulting and offensive. Yet a serious request for information is not offensive. This reminded me forcibly that the way to achieving equality for gay and lesbian is serious conversations with others.
Remember to listen, and answer appropriately.
My writing is inspired by a conversation I recently had with a young gentleman of my acquaintance. While I can see us becoming good friends in the future at the moment we are acquaintances, and that is just fine. J and I ran into him at lunch recently, and he asked if he could join us. My acquaintance, V, knows that we are a same-sex couple. He was asking some personal questions about our relationship, and our life. And here is where I was reminded that truly listening is so critical.
V was asking sincere questions. My guess is that he doesn't know many (any) gay, married, church-going folk (a.k.a really boring couple). In another tone of voice, the questions could have been quite insulting and offensive. Yet a serious request for information is not offensive. This reminded me forcibly that the way to achieving equality for gay and lesbian is serious conversations with others.
Remember to listen, and answer appropriately.