I like to read. I have really good intentions of reading in the mornings while having coffee on my patio. I also really enjoy writing. i love documenting my days & then rereading those memories years later. The problem is I let life get in the way of both of these. Well, no more. Even if for 10 mins in the morning and a short paragraph summing up my day I have to do this for myself.
I took a last minute trip to Dallas a little while back to visit some friends. I have noticed that the last 2 times I have been to Dallas I have lost my voice. I talk and laugh an absurd amount. A friend of mine mentioned something that stuck out in my head she said something along the lines of "everyone wants to talk about themselves. When it all comes down to it people are more interested in themselves." Then I chimed in saying that I read a book by Dale Carnegie and he says that is one of the main ways to succeed in business...get people talking about themselves and their stories and be genuinely interested. You'll win them over every time without them really even knowing you. I believe I am on my way to mastering this. But as much as I love asking questions and listening I sometimes forget to talk about me. I know my story is a story worth being told but I guess I figure I already know my story and I'd rather take in others. That weekend reminded me that there needs to be a good balance of both listening & sharing for friendships and relationships to flourish. There has to be a genuine desire on both parts to know the other person. There's nothing I like more than getting a group of friends together and sharing life. Little things even. Just share. Make time to listen but take some time to be heard. It's all important and you just never know what someone might need to hear from you right there in that moment.
Just got back from Cancun for a wedding and had a blast:
