Your Job Is To Listen

Huh?

I got a chance to meet George Saunders recently. He is one of my favorite authors (Tenth of December), and he was in to do a writer’s workshop and reading.

He’s as warm and funny in person as in his writing, completely natural and accessible. Even took the time to introduce fellow author Cheryl Strayed, who was with us in the audience.

Following the reading, he answered questions, about writing and inspiration and characters.

He said, “A story is always talking to you and your job is to listen.”

wonderful-humanity-7

A story is always talking to you and your job is to listen.

wonderful-humanity-14

 
Are you paying attention to the stories right there in front of you? Some are poignant, some are uplifting, some are downright funny…

pass the chocolate


A story is always talking to you and your job is to listen.

Christmas gift

 
If you’re not seeing stories like this, you’re not looking in the right places.

If you’re not hearing stories like this, you need to expand your social network, spend time in places where stories like these are shared.

A story is always talking to you and your job is to listen.

happy new year

Listen. Watch. Pay attention. Put yourself in a position for human interaction, stop talking, and listen to the lives that surround you. Especially now, especially at Christmas time.

A story is always talking to you and your job is to listen.