It’s our relationships with others that make our days worthwhile and our lives more satisfying and our relationships must be reciprocal:  We talk, they listen; they talk, we listen.

I would like to stress again the importance of listening to the people in our lives.  If you want a selfish reason to do it, then here it is:  really hearing what people say and feel will add depth to your relationships and enrich your life!

We often (usually) enter into conversations with our minds already set on what we expect to hear and how we will interpret what other people say. But genuine listening requires the setting aside of our own judgments and emotions and focusing on the other person.

We’re so tied to our cell phones, computers, tablets and electronic calendars, that most days we’re on automatic pilot. Do your days go by in a blur?  Do you see the people around you?  Do they see you?

When holidays, school breaks, and summer vacations roll around it often opens a new window into the lives of our children