listen listen listen

One of my older co-worker told me many months ago about the important of listening. It is far more difficult than talking. Listening is a skill to pay attention to the speech content from somebody, understand the speaker and feel their thought and feeling. I believe I am not a good listener yet but I always feel connection with somebody if we engage in conversation. Most of the time, I'll let them talk for minutes if something is new to me. I'd most likely remember a few important words/ideas and forget the rest of them the next day. If the speaker talks about something I've experienced, I'd interrupt them without letting them finish their sentence. Many times I notice my brain is processing things too fast, I feel I am ahead of speaker's word, knowing what they would say for the rest of the sentence, then speak out. Many times, I've got it right. But when I've got it wrong, I feel quite embarassed. I've side tracked the conversation to different level.
Today, I've listened to my co-worker before I interrupt. I felt better that I've got the whole idea before I speak. Everybody has different way to convey message. While they are talking, I listen to them, understand and analyze their expression and meaning of the words. Therefore, I truly understand them and I give them good contructional feedback. I should listen more patiently everytime. Hopefully I can apply it in my daily life.

New Start in 2009

I always wonder why people are excited about celebrating a New Year. Is that the beginning of a new resolution or dream ? Or is it time to forget things that have passed. I would certainly like to erase things that happened in 2008; but I can't. It's not a good year for me. Many remorses, unlucky incidents happened. For sure my wealth has shrunk. Let's look at something positive, I am more healthy and live happily. My work has got recognition. I've got married to a beautiful girl, whom I met for over 8 years. She is my soul mate and we stay happily with our naughty cat, Michael. We've enjoyed our first dream house on Vineyard Trail. I should not be complaining... I just hope I'd accomplish more, get to finish my goals set in Jan 2008. But it all didn't matter no more, I will remember to enjoy every second of my life and use it wisely. I've set 10 goals in year 2009. It's written down black and white...