...of hearing and listening

Mr. X wakes up from his sleep by the sound of his ringing cell phone. He picks up and says "HELLO". No reply from the other side . He keeps repeating, yet no one replys. Confused, he says, "please speak, 'm listening!". Pat comes the reply, "but my friend, you are not capable of listening".

          The above piece is something I heard a long time back and 'm unable to recollect the source. Nevertheless, the simplicity and depth of the last sentence stirred even an unsound mind like mine. If I were Mr. X, I would 'v felt offended by the remark. Yet, I don't. I can hear just fine. As can most of you. I pride myself at being able to recognize quite a few song by their opening music (which in my view is no mean feat). I can also recognize people I know by their voices on phone. I have friends who can guess a bike's name by the noise of its engine. Still all of us in my view are increasingly incapable of listening. Let us here not equate listening with hearing. If I sound confusing, let me break this down. All my life, I have heard my mom asking me to apply myself in life and I have diligently chosen not to listen. And you dear reader, the girl that you are out wooing is way out of your league and your best friend has told you so 'n' number of times. Yet, do you listen? Our politicians were the first to master this art of "hearing but not listening". But we commoners are catching up fast and how! People in position of power seldom listen to anyone below them. The rest of us too, barely listen to anything that is not to our liking. As a society we excel in taking offence.

          Hence, I will read and hear all the comments you make about this column, but will choose not to listen to any of your constructive criticism or informed opinion. That way, I will continue to be the average blogger that I am. And who knows, I may even take offence!