why does listening matter #1

“I don’t get tired.”

I think about this quote from a motivational speech from businessman and runner Jesse Itzler all the time. He’s telling the story of when he hired an accomplished military veteran and distance runner to help him break a running plateau. A distance he could never outlast.

The veteran came running with him for months and told him a secret one day.
He leans in close and says, "You want to know a secret?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s a crazy thing. I don’t get tired.”

The story goes on to say that there’s a mentality there.
You never give your pain a voice.

When someone asks how you are:
“Outstanding.”

It’s not lying, it’s crafting your own vision of reality.

I spent the last few days studying the Jewish teachings as I dove deep into my culture over the Jewish New Year which we celebrated on Tuesday.

I’d been invited to spend two nights in the local synagogue to spend the night.
And to eat with them.

By the fourth meal (two lunches and two dinners), I felt terrible.
I’d eaten far more than anyone should.

But the Jewish teachings, just like Jesse’s friend, mention that negative self-talk is against our principals. The negative self-talk comes from what Jews call the yetzer hara, which I interpret to mean a nugget of evil within.

By giving voice to the yetzer hara, you give it power.
You allow your evil inclination to manifest.
By following the traditions, you limit it (but you can never destroy it completely).

So, I’ll rely on the teachings for the rest of my email:

I’m doing outstanding, and I could use help.

If you’ve made it this far, and care about the message of listening, would you please write back with one example of how a good listening has made a meaningful impact in your life.

I’d love to gather some stories that I can lean back on when I question the impact of listening in this world which is full of what seems to be overflowing challenges against peace and kindness.

With love, light, and hope,
Orly