A few weeks ago I announced that I was going to be a happy participant in the 2014 Blogger Challenge. I am so excited to take part in this…there are so many other wonderful Bloggers who will be posting awesome posts throughout the year and I can’t wait to read them. If you’d like to check out some of their posts as well be sure to head over to Another Girly Blog or the 2014 Blogger Challenge Group Facebook Page where everyone is posting their links and to meet a few of the Bloggers!
Now, on to this week’s Topic: INSPIRATION…we were challenged to forgo writing a New Years Resolution post and instead select a quote or a picture that inspires us and perhaps will inspire others as we begin this New Year.
I feel this is a great idea especially since I had already decided to avoid making a list of resolutions that I am most likely to abandon sometime during week 3 of the year. I have already chosen to simply choose One Word this year to focus on and work towards achieving and making a greater part of my daily life. so, I’ve decided to select a quote that helps inspire me to reach my One Word for 2014 and perhaps inspire someone else along the way.
My One Word was LISTEN. I chose it because I have a bad habit of asking a question to my family, Hubby, friends, etc. and then not being or staying fully present for the answer. The quote I selected is one that I think helps me understand even more why actually being able to LISTEN to is so important.
I couldn’t find the author of this quote but whoever wrote it or said it must have realized that not only does being a person who can truly LISTEN to others doesn’t merely impact how you hear but also how you are heard. I honestly didn’t even consider that side of the word until I saw this quote.
Maintaining my focus on being able to LISTEN throughout 2014 was initially something I felt I was doing to show more respect, love and appreciation to those around me. I had never even considered that it could also have an impact on how they saw me and in turn chose to share and speak with me.
Another part of this quote that opened my eyes a bit was that how you Speak can also determine how others listen. A while back I had taken on a challenge to Yell Less and Hear More. In that challenge I was trying to eliminate the amount of yelling I did at and towards my children and those in my home. I had realized that my voice level and tone were having a major impact on my Kiddies and it wasn’t one that I liked.
This quote reminds me of that as well, it helps me remember that there are times when others may not LISTEN to me simply because of the manner I choose to speak.
I hope that this quote helps to offer INSPIRATION to someone reading this to be aware of your tone and the manner in which you speak to others. There are times when even the kindest of intentions may be misread by the way it is presented.
Until the next 2014 Blogger Challenge I wish you Love, Life and Laughter!
“Believe in yourself, your passions, and your dreams. Your voice is unique - build on that. Embrace what is different about you and make it your greatest asset!”
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22 thoughts on “2014 Blogger Challenge: LISTEN Inspiration”
I love this quote, Tee. I need to practice this until I become better at it!
My recent post One Word 2014: FEARLESS
Thanks…when I saw it I knew it would help motivate and inspire me. Trust me I\’m a work in progress myself.
My husband gets so irritated with me because I ask him a question and then ten minutes later ask the same question because I didn't listen to the answer the first time! I really need to stop doing that!
My recent post A Vocabulary Lesson Gone Wrong
I do the same thing! I need to stop too…LOL 😉
It's so easy to tune out that this is a good reminder that we need to pause, recharge and listen.
My recent post Weekly photos – Project 365 #1
Yes it is! Sometimes we do it without even being fully aware of it…pausing it definitely something that we need to do on a regular basis simply to stay in connection with those around us.
What a beautiful, and thoughtful, word to emphasize. I could really learn to listen more. Sometimes I'm listening for what I want to hear rather than what my family is REALLY saying. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks for hosting the Mommy Monday Blog Hop! I was already following you on Bloglovin but am now following you on Twitter too!
My recent post Peace & Joy: Holiday Fun Part 2
Thank You. I find that I have been lacking in this area and it is definitely something that needs attention from me this year. Exactly! I’m glad it could inspire you as it inspires me 🙂
Thank you I will be sure to check that I am returning the Follow support 🙂
that is a great quote and often hard to do…but when done correctly the respect we learn is amazing. Great quote.
I felt so too and certainly fitting for my One Word focus this year. It can be difficult but I hope that it helps me stay on path and achieve my goal when it comes to becoming a better LISTENer…Thank You! 🙂
My 1 word is CHANGE!
However – I considered the possibility of LISTEN too and think that's an awesome word!
Have a fabulous week – hope you'll share this post with us at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy! 🙂
Wow! Great choice! Thank you! I hope you have an amazing week! Yes, I will stop by today and share it 🙂 Thanks so much for the invite …
It's good that you recognize that you listen more.. I'm a huge talker and it took me a while to become a listener, but I think my friends appreciate me more because of it!
Visiting from #2014BloggerChallenge @ http://www.whattheschneck.blogspot.cm
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Yes…that is the place I want to get to. I am always trying to get my thoughts out before I forget them but at times it cause me to sacrifice my listening skills…hopefully I will get better at it with this word of focus 🙂
Not listening is one of my biggest character flaws. Most conversations I have with people are really with myself, lol! Especially when it comes to my husband. He's always at me, saying "listen, woman", and I'm just steady talking away. My attention span is short and before I know it, I off thinking about the next thing I want to say instead of listening. Listening is the one thing I don't work on doing enough.
My recent post Why I Don’t Make New Year’s Resolutions
LOL…I don\’t know if it\’s my attention span or that I just have so many different things running through my head and i\’m always trying to get them done or said before I forget…it tends to make me less aware of what the other person is saying. I\’m truly trying to work on it though 🙂
I love this post. It wasn't until I read it that I realize I'm a pretty bad listener myself! My husband and son deserve so much better. This is my challenge for the year – and the rest of my life! Thanks for this post!
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Thanks! It can be easy to overlook and most times not even consciously… I know it may be a struggle but I\’m determine to use everything I can to help me along the way 🙂
Oh my goodness, this is certainly something I need to work on with my husband and kids and God! Great inspiration. thanks for sharing.
My recent post Love Your Space Challenge #2
I think we all have times where we forget how important listening and speaking is with those around us. I know I need this reminder. Thanks so much for coming by 🙂
This could be my focus word of the year too, with so much on my mind sometimes I think I need to pause and listen to those that really matters. My family, my heart and God.
Great post Tiff!
Isn\’t it so easy to get distracted and forget to truly \’listen\’ ? Thanks for the continued comment and share support…xoxoxoxo