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That Old Self-talk
I’m harder on myself than you are,
yet your judgement somehow wounds me more –
how can you possibly say that?
I say to myself.
And you say what I have been avoiding.
Yet I think I make sense of myself,
and I measure your integrity by that,
which means,
I measure myself by your commitment to me.
Whoever said this was objective?
So don’t make me laugh,
tis but a game,
a self deceit,
of looking for love, for self,
in all the wrong places,
and the damage we do to ourselves,
by talking,
but not listening.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul,
pvcann.com
parallax 
Great …can relate! 💙👍 enjoyable reading 👌
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Many thanks Ray, glad it connects. 🙂
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I agree were too self critical.
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Sadly so.
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Listening seems to be a lost art. With the introduction of social media especially Twitter we all have so much to say.
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Yes, and I wonder that we will lose that function if we keep spiralling in noise. Thank you for sharing.
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lol I am sure you echoed too many minds but not yours 🙂
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True Kate, came from years of working with others 🙂
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yes, sometimes I worry it could rub off 😦
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You just need to make sure your emotional Kevlar is in tact
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lol my armour … oh yes indeed
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😊
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🙂 When one talks to oneself, who (i.e., what) is it who (that) is listening?
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Ah that is the question 🙂
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and the damage we do to ourselves,
by talking,
but not listening.
Wow!! Superb 👌
Listening is so essential.
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Many thanks Nalini, and thank you for sharing – so agree.
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If only those who are eager to criticise would take a moment to listen.
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O absolutely, if only.
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There is a man I have known almost 50 years who almost never says anything, but when he does, he remembers the most amazing things. Then a few years ago, I realized the reason he says so little — he is listening.
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Yes, I have a friend like that, and yes, he listens. I often wonder that they get frustrated that we don’t listen more 🙂
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Nice !!
Enjoyed reading
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I am so glad you did, and thank you for sharing
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thank you 🙂
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My pleasure, Paul!!
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That is a complex and deep poem – well written
>
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Many thanks Lyn
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I learned years ago, it’s not what we say, but how we listen that makes a difference. Especially in prayer. Lovely poem.
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So agree, I have learned that silence is so healthy and yes prayer. Thanks Dawn
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