Listen

Most of the time no one hears her. 

Most of the time people assume that to be poor is to uninterested in all the things that interest her more--politics, real estate, the governance of nations, the rise of fashion, the plight of kings.  Few imagine the dreams she has about her school on the field, her children in her arms, her thoughts gathered in books, her expertise the wisdom of a strong and sustainable circle.

Don't be fooled by her smile.  Lean in.  Listen.  And then lean in closer. 

She is telling you the secret of happiness.  She is telling you to know what you know.  She is asking you to erase from your mind this idea that to be poor is to be simple, that to sweep the counter in the coffee shop is her American dream.  She is asking you to listen to the sound of her ambition rising as tells the manager she'll need more money.  Now.  Or this job is toast.

She knows better than anyone you've ever met what it means to survive.  She has memorized in exquisite detail, the sound of success.  She is ready to speak her power now.  She is ready to learn from yours.  She will show you what it means now to own your voice, to speak your truth, to refuse to be put under.  She will teach you all this and more, if you will do this:

Listen.  And then listen some more.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Who do you need to lean in to today with your lens like a magnifying glass showing the way?  Get up close and personal and show us your sage, your guide, your inspiration--the one who makes you want to shut up and listen to everything wise and good.

Comments

[Elizabeth Harper]

What I need today....is the key.

http://giftsofthejourney.wordpress.com/2009/04/08/locked-up-tight/

[Marcie]

Listen...to the cry of the gulls. Look..and see:
http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=743

Such powerful words. Thank-you for this beautiful post!

[kosenrufu mama]

today i'm looking for hope.....
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/04/cercando-speranza.html

[ELK]

i will jen ~strong post..
seem to be in sync with SS on my blog without even attempting to be ...i listen ...i lean in close before she leaves
before she wakes:
http://www.redorgray.com/2009/04/at-seventeen.html

[Puna]

Jen, you have an incredible way with words.

[hi kooky]

Sometimes I need to stop listening to everyone else and start listening to myself.

[beth]

I just need to sit and listen to my heart ....which just doesn't seem like it wants to agree with my head anymore.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29291473@N04/3424047256/

[Mrs. E]

I'm with Hi Kooky and Beth. Sometimes we do need to listen to ourselves. What would our bodies (or parts of our bodies) tell us if they could?

http://erickfam.blogspot.com/2009/04/if-these-feet-could-talk.html

[Kyla]

I can hear the home addition calling my name . . . and yet my heart is leading me to my brightly colored chalks, and a plain piece of white paper. Like my children . . . I must create!

http://thekreativelife.blogspot.com/2009/04/simple-womans-daybook-april-6th-edition.html

[jag]

Oh, what a powerful post... Jen, it's been said but bears repeating: you truly have a gift with words. Thank you!
Here is a photo of one of my teachers.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3329702548/in/set-72157614702401043/
xox

[jennifer bee photography]

Amazing post.

I'm listening to her.

http://jenniferbeephotography.blogspot.com/2009/04/listening.html

[Life in Eden]

This person rides along the beach and plays music on some type of speaker. The first time I saw her, John Lennon's "Imagine" was streaming from her bike. I'd like to listen to her story.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32837589@N07/3422189417/

[robin-bird]

What a perfectly beautiful post. This weekend I saw him on the corner playing his violin as if his life depended upon his ability to communicate to the world... What he wanted me and others to know i did not ask. I did listen, and watched and sent my little prayer that he might know he was seen, heard and respected.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22496405@N03/3424957546/

[Julie Alvarez]

HE is one of those persons...
And this is as close as I could get:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3396626037/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3397408170/

[sharon]

I am learning to listen to my inner voices.

http://sharonlinnefaulk.com/photo/archives/1705

[Leslie]

Such a true statement, love this post

http://lesliephoto.blogspot.com/

[Puna]

My sister suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). Around her I'm not impatient or speak out of turn because of the effort she takes in being heard.

http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2009/04/08/listen-and-listen-some-more/

[camerashymomma]

today it's not a person, it's a place. a head space. and the minute i saw it i knew i had found it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/3425346096/

[Lecia]

beautiful words, beautiful post. here's my up close and personal:

http://www.leciawphinney.com/2009/03/my-treasure.html

[Shelli]

I loved this post. My inspiration my guide is my kids. They show me more then I could ever imagine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shelliphotography/3425885838/

[Holly]

listen....

http://themares.blogspot.com/2009/04/shutter-sisters.html

[Monica]

I love you Jen Lemen!! Jen .. you speak my heart over and over again. I dream of saying the things you say. Of saying them so gently and with such respect and compassion. Yet so full of strength and power and fight.

I will think about your question ...