The most valuable of all capital is that invested in human beings."--Alfred Marshall
Two thousand years ago (or so), the Savior gave much the same advice when He said, "Love one another." For isn't investing in human beings just another way of saying "Love them?"
How do we invest in others ... or love them? One of the best ways is to listen. Listening is in short supply these days. Therapists and other counselors provide a valuable service simply by listening to their clients, but we don't have to have a degree in therapy to do this.
When a friend tells you about an experience, are you waiting impatiently for "your turn" so that you can tell a similar experience, maybe even "one-upping" hers? As they say, "Been there, done that." And when I do, when I fail to give my friend the benefit of truly listening to not only what she's saying but the feelings behind those words, I diminish her ... and myself.
Joy for today: listening.
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