As an enabler in recovery, one of the skills I work on One Day at a Time is the art of listening.
I know it’s only fair I give someone else a chance to speak, but it is not as easy as it sounds.
For some reason, either nature or nurture has me forming a rebuttal before the other person finished talking.
Either nature or nurture has me blurting out an answer before thinking it through, and later regretting my hasty reaction.
Either nature or nurture makes me believe my words could and would fix everyone.
Either nature or nurture convinces me my words could and would set everyone straight—to my way of thinking.
How crazy is that stinkin’ thinkin’?
Thanks to Step 2, I came to believe that a Power greater than myself could restore me to sanity.
Still, for some reason, either nature or nurture, it is a minute to minute struggle to, Say what I mean, mean what I say, but don’t say it mean!
Watching what you say can save you a lot of trouble (Proverbs 21:23 CEV).
Or in today’s vernacular . . .
He then called the crowd together and said, “Listen, and take this to heart. It’s not what you swallow that pollutes your life, but what you vomit up” (Matthew 15: 10-11 MSG).
