IDSR – Be still… Listen… Dig Deep… Learn the Facts

As a 'Quiet Observer' I really enjoy ‘just watching life happen'. Often I will sit back & listen... to the birds, a river, children playing in the distance; To sit still awhile & take in the 'feel' & 'content' of the many conversations going on around me. It's so interesting to 'take note' of how families interact with one another. My attention is drawn to a myriad of little things; when we observe a persons body language, their subtle movements can reveal things that those in a hurry can fail to notice.

Often through neglecting to see something small, such as a slight movement of the eye, a clenched fist or the fidgeting of hands concealed behind a back, we can miss SEEING signals of a ‘hidden motive’ or ‘nervousness. It’s amazing how a person will look to the left when fabricating a lie or gaze to the right when trying to bring something into 'recall'.

I often practice this ‘HABIT’ of mine while out with my children. We will be sitting having a cup of coffee & I’ll venture off into my own little world when I notice something interesting on the horizon. I just can't help myself. There's this other person living inside of me who just wants to understand the 'whys' & 'why nots' of everyday life. So many people try to conceal who they really are behind their closed doors, But I WANT to KNOW THEM.

So, is this a good thing or a bad thing? - To me that’s an interesting question.

From a young age I’ve tried to encourage my kids to REALLY LISTEN to what’s going on around them. I’ve taught them to try to look under the surface… to see what is hidden… Ask questions… Notice other contributing factors… Not to simply accept what they are told, but to DIG Deeper & Learn the Facts. Be inquisitive. Seek knowledge. Read… Do Research.

This flows into several areas of their lives.

On a relational level they KNOW that if you don’t have the ‘Full Information’ & that means the ‘Complete Background of a Situation’ with a ‘Clear Understanding of its History’… Keep Your Mouth Shut... Too often we can butt our noses into situations where we have no right to intrude. I’ve taught my kids to MIND their Own Business unless the people involved invite them to give an opinion on the matter at hand. They ‘KNOW that every picture has a story & some of them are not very pretty’. They also became aware at a young age that ‘there are always two sides to every story...’

Academically the kids both did so well at school as their research skills are top notch. They really investigate every subject to the best of their ability. I can only hope it’s because I’ve been an encouragement to them, (you know, SEEK… Find… Discover… lead by example, etc) & that it’s not because I’ve placed any pressure on them to achieve. All I know is that I’m very proud of the way they both investigate their interests so intensely.

Another benefit of encouraging my kids to take the time to ‘Quietly Observe Life…’ has been in the way it has taught my daughter (who has always been a little on the ‘manic scale’) to find ‘rest’ from the non-stop activity of mind & body. She’s finally learned to slow down (hallelujah!) through meditation & quiet reflection… for those extroverted bi-polar personalities out there who suffer with incessant chatter in the mind & a fair amount of hyperactive behavior this is a great achievement.

So do I think I’ve done something right? You tell me as I’m open to receiving your feedback…

Best of all my children know ‘When you finally learn not to ‘jump in & offer an opinion to people it sure can keep you out of trouble’. …

WOOPs that doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear what you think, I REALLY Do