The Art of Listening

I’ve noticed something about myself. I’ve become acutely adept at giving the illusion that I’m listening when I’m not listening at all. I’ll look somebody straight in the eyes, and focus real hard, and not hear a word that they’re saying.
                A week or two will pass and someone will mention a conversation we had and I’ll have no idea what they’re talking about. To my surprise, they’ll reveal to me that I agreed to attend a recital or a dinner party, and with some trepidation I’ll have to capitulate to their demands. I want to listen, but sometimes being the listener is more difficult than it seems.

                I’m attending a cello recital tomorrow. Don’t ask me, I wasn’t listening.