Stop. Look. Listen.

When we were young and we learned to cross the street, the rules were simple—stop, look, listen. I am realizing I have not been listening enough. In my haste, I’ve been flying full speed through lights and conversations and life causing traffic collisions or near misses because I am not listening enough. To myself, to the earth, to my guides, to others. So 2026 for me will be about listening. Fitting the next book is called Shut Up. One thing that happens when we don’t listen is we become disoriented. Same as when we don’t stop or don’t look, we miss stuff. I was missing what was right in front of me because I was either talking too much, listening to my device or lost in the sauce. Mr. Magoo. There but not present. Just walking. It’s ok to walk through traffic. To be so determined that you just keep your horse blinders on. Until a 4000 ton train is barreling your way and had you listening you’d have heard the horn screaming “Move” again and again. Good thing it was just a close call and you’re still here to tell the story. And I realize if I get better at listening to one thing, I will get better at hearing others. The more I listen in, the better I get at listening out and listening up. Ok. So now I’ll shut up.