i have been hit from several directions lately about building people up instead of ripping them down. about how very powerful words are. about how important it is to listen--really listen. yesterday one of the coaches at girls on the run told the girls they need to listen with their eyes, ears and hearts. meaning they need to actually CARE about what others are saying.

we did this exercise where one girl sat in the middle to tell the coach a story. she was telling about her weekend, and the coach began to look around and then she picked up a notebook and started writing and then she interrupted the girl and then she looked at her watch. it was amazing to watch the little girl. she started out really animated and excited, but she started stuttering and feeling very unsure of herself. she stopped talking several times and forgot what she was saying, and kept saying the same sentence over and over. you could see her deflate like a balloon.

then the coach had another little girl sit in the circle. she gave her full attention, nodded her head, laughed appropriately, asked key questions. this little girl felt good about her story and you could tell.

we talked about it at the end. the first girl said she felt "like the coach didn't care about me." and the second girl said she felt "like i mattered."

just something to think about, especially when it comes to kids. and husbands. and wives. and co-workers. and the sample lady at the grocery store...you know?