Hiccups, bumps and listening.

*poof*

*pop*

*wham*

That's the sound of blueberries and chocolate chips popping out all over the place, and not getting replaced quite as quickly.

I only have so many band aids, and I'm trying to put them to good use. But it doesn't seem to be working. They're falling out quicker than I can patch up the wonky holes.

"He's being unreasonable", she said.

"No she's being unreasonable", he said.

So what happens from here?

I went to a workshop a couple of weeks back. It was about Negotiation Skills. And I was told that the key to this (which can be applied in everything you do) is learning the lost art of listening.

Listening is a tricky thing. It's not the same as hearing, internalising and actioning. And it takes more effort than you think because it means putting aside your thoughts for the moment, and taking on those of someone else's. Finding the meaning in the words, and the motivations behind them.

It's something I'm learning.

And trying to do better.

But it's an uphill battle all the way.

And when I encounter those hiccups and bumps in my journey, I can't help but wonder if the listening is all that important. Does it really matter that every spoken word is addressed?

In fact, does it even really matter if I make my point? Because when you think about it, all that matters is the end game.

So should it matter if what I'm saying is right or wrong?

What's the point of the 'right', when all I really want at the end of the day, is sunshine and chunk-a-lot of happiness.

But again of course, a lot easier said than done.