Interesting Find

Owl City

A new musical interest of mine: Owl City. . . . Check it out (if you haven't already done so, of course). I relly like the song "Fireflies."

Interested

Have you ever begun a discussion on one topic and ended on one that was totally unrelated?  Well, last night I began talking to my mom about one thing and ended up talking about something that was slightly related, but not really.  Fortunately, this topic of discussion hasn't left my thoughts: being interested in in other people.  When I began thinking about it I realized some of the people that I am closest to are interested in my life; they want to know what's going on, what I'm doing, how school is going, etc..  This, naturally, endears me (I believe all humans experience this to some degree) towards these people.  By being visibly interested in me, asking questions and learning about me, they become a part of my life. They are putting their thoughts, time, and energy into me.  That should make anyone feel special.  The big question for me. . . am I interested in others?  I would say "so so". Definitely not to the extent that I hope to someday be.  One of the biggest parts about seeming and being interested in someone is by asking questions.  Inquiring gives the person a clue that you are wanting to know more about them. The next step, which is where I tend to falter, is when they began to supply your questions with answers (enlightening you, and inviting you into a small part of their life--small, but still significant)  and you aren't really listening and learning. They know if you are listening and learning or not; including children. They know that if you are really listening that you must really be interested.  If they see that you are not listening, they immediately understand that your supposed interest isn't genuine.  So, the key seems to be that being a good questioner comes first, and then being a good listener second. The most excellent example of a good listener would be a lady I have been given the privilege to know.  No matter what you are saying to her, and no matter who walks up on your conversation, she looks you in the eyes and gives you her full attention. She doesn't suffer from the fault of looking over your shoulder to the next person, which I believe to be also key.  She wants to invest in you and learn about you.  I have been finding how important this concept is. I have, to my dismay, been able to look back at certain situations in my life that I know I wasn't being a good questioner or listener. I remember them very well.  I'm praying that this will be a turning point for me, and that I will easily detect within myself  feelings of disinterest and mortify them on the spot.  Just like the many example of good listeners God has given me, I want to be known and remembered as someone who was genuinely interested in others.