I have learned as much about writing about my people by listening to blues and jazz and spirituals as I read more

I have learned as much about writing about my people by listening to blues and jazz and spirituals as I have by reading novels.

I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.

I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.

I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what read more

I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.

Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery. -Dr Joyce Brothers.

Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery. -Dr Joyce Brothers.

When you are arguing with a fool, make sure he isn't doing the same thing. -Unknown.

When you are arguing with a fool, make sure he isn't doing the same thing. -Unknown.

Doubt yourself and you doubt everything you see. Judge yourself and you see judges everywhere. But if you listen to read more

Doubt yourself and you doubt everything you see. Judge yourself and you see judges everywhere. But if you listen to the sound of your own voice, you can rise above doubt and judgment. And you can see forever. -Nancy Kerrigan.

And he goes through life, his mouth open, and his mind closed.

And he goes through life, his mouth open, and his mind closed.

An essential part of true listening is the discipline of bracketing, the temporary giving up or setting aside of one's read more

An essential part of true listening is the discipline of bracketing, the temporary giving up or setting aside of one's own prejudices, frames of reference and desires so as to experience as far as possible the speaker's world from the inside, step in inside his or her shoes. This unification of speaker and listener is actually and extension and enlargement of ourselves, and new knowledge is always gained from this. Moreover, since true listening involves bracketing, a setting aside of the self, it also temporarily involves a total acceptance of the other. Sensing this acceptance, the speaker will fell less and less vulnerable and more and more inclined to open up the inner recesses of his or her mind to the listener. As this happens, speaker and listener begin to appreciate each other more and more, and the duet dance of love is begun again. -M. Scott Peck.

A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he knows something.

A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he knows something.