Saturday, September 17, 2022
We all die with things that we simply don’t know about ourselves. We die with unfinished business. We die with unrealized dreams. We die with regrets, things that we wish were different. Perhaps stimulating questions could prompt new understanding amongst us as humans. We have a lot to say to each other, but it seems the inquisitive spirit is in decline.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have discussions where people really want to hear you? Wouldn’t it be nice to get thought-provoking questions as good discussion starters? Most people speak persuasively, rather than inquisitively. I wonder if our problem as a society, is that we don’t want to hand over the microphone.
We talk too much. We’re not interested in learning, we’re interested in “teaching.” We’re not interested in listening, we’re interested in being heard. Answering is always the easy part of a conversation. Try being an explorer in conversation, and seek to understand, that’s the key to good discourse. Watch how people react when you show some real interest in them. Make it a point to find “secrets,” not to be nosy, but to be genuinely interested. Handing over the microphone can soften the toughest people, if you ask something good, and unlock meaningful discussion. That’s what the world needs. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had some decent questions for each other, for a change?