Folks, here we are well into the New Year, and my determination has not kicked in very much. I call it determination, not resolution. I am determined I am going to talk less and listen more. Boy howdy, wouldn’t that make a lot of people happy!

Especially, these dear old souls that live up and down these halls here at the retirement village. They most likely would think I must be sick. Late afternoon, when I mosey on down to the commons area, I hear what they say. Some days it’s, “Well here comes trouble, or here comes noise.” Most likely it is because I am saying, “It is way too quiet out here. Come on, let’s act a bit more lively!”

Ok, and I have decided I must stop repeating myself. Thinking they have not heard my bit of wisdom, I say it again! Got to stop that! After all, I might be accused of being a dear old soul. Now, I try not to interrupt. Well, all but my sister. I would never get to say nothing if I did not interrupt her. Remember, you don’t tell her, what I tell you.

Now, back to listening. Yup, I already have learned it takes more discipline, far more, to listen than to talk. I am not necessarily talking about just hearing. Not just smiling and nodding while someone is talking. Not just keeping quiet until it is my turn. A man named Samuel Baker said, “It takes two people to say a thing, a sayer and a sayee. The one is just as essential to any true saying as the other.” Ok, I guess one has to listen slowly.

And, starting today, I am going to allow room for silence while the other person is thinking and trying to get the words out, and not feel I have to fill up all the blank spaces. Oh dear, I just realized I have two ears, two eyes and one mouth. Okeydokey! Mark it down I am determined to become a better listener.

I heard about this lady’s achievable New Year’s resolution. 1. Get older 2. Gain weight 3. Do stuff 4. Drink coffee 5. Try not to die.