From The Storyteller
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April 15, 2019, UFO
“What do you think it is?” I offer, “A weather balloon, maybe a huge bird, or possibility an alien space craft.” Elaine and I are standing in an open field looking at something flying way up high in the sky, and my third suggestion gets that “look”. I smile and say, “Well, "I don't know what it is so that makes it an unidentified flying object, a UFO.” A shoulder shrug and we both laugh. The phrase “I don’t know” has increasingly found its way into my conversation skills. While I may have a reasonable suspicion of what the correct answer might be, I’ve come to enjoy hearing what others think. The more I listen, the more I realize the world is filled with really interesting people. Some examples: There was the time I stumbled upon a guy who spent hours explaining quantum computing, and the time I discovered the difference between classical violin and jazz when I sat next to a person who teaches classical violin. I’ve enjoyed the time spent listening to a fascinating young man as he explained how he survives as a professional coin collector, and literally marveled as a woman, who grows beautiful flowers year round, explained the technical things required to make this happen. I started becoming comfortable with my “I don’t know” comment when I read a quote from the author H. Jackson Brown - “Every person you meet knows something you don’t; learn from them.” My response, “Wow! Now that’s a challenge!” While I’ve not always been successful, simply attempting to learn something from every person I encounter has added a great deal spice and many smiles to my life. Rule one for learning from others: Pay attention to the person you’re with. Moral: “I don’t know” is a good place to start a conversation. |