DO YOU PAY ATTENTION?

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

President Franklin Roosevelt had grown increasingly tired of the long receiving lines at White House functions. After more than a decade of such ceremonial duties, he complained to his aides that no one paid any attention to the words exchanged. No matter what he said, he would continually hear comments such as "Well done, Mr President," "Congratulations, Mr. President," or "Good job, Mr. President."

So on one occasion, unable to endure the boredom of it any longer, he decided to have some fun with his guests. As each person passed by in the receiving line, shaking his hand, Roosevelt whispered, "I murdered my grandmother this morning!"

His guests responded with "Marvelous!" "Keep up the good work," or "God bless you, Mr. President."

It wasn't until the end of the receiving line, as the ambassador of Bolivia passed by, that the meaning of his words was finally heard. Unflustered, the ambassador leaned over to Roosevelt and responded: "I'm sure she had it coming, Mr. President."

How often in our lives are we hearing but not listening?

(From The Power to Change Today by Gregory Dickow)