In Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers
Those who know me know this is my safety word. It is the word I chose to say while biting my tongue. Biting my tongue? Yes.
I got sick and tired of getting drawn into senseless arguments. I got sick and tired of losing myself to the perceptions of others. And I got sick and tired of apologizing for saying those things I wished I hadn’t said in the heat of the moment, so I started biting my tongue! And before I would clamp my mouth shut, I said, “Wow.”
What started as self protection became a beautiful tool for learning to listen. Learning to listen to the feelings underneath the outbursts and confusion. Learning to listen to the longing of the heart behind the long winded diatribes. Listening means I am fully present. I am not in the past pulling up my story, and I am not in the future planning my response. I am here with your words… the expression of your heart… with focused attention. And paying attention is love.
Thich Naht Hahn says we listen to help another “empty their heart” … “to suffer less.”
So maybe “wow” is one of the three great prayers!
God help me listen today.
Help me be present with focused attention.
Help me be of service.
Amen
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