Monday, February 23, 2009

Consider this you are what you know.

Hearing is one thing one, but listening is another. In comparison, anybody can talk, but having something to say is more important. “Listening is both a process and behavior”, (Lu, 2005, pp.45). For the last twenty years, listening has become an essential tool in my line of work, freelance commercial art. Through discovering the aesthetic of listening I have been able to use it variables with my clients, and business. In relation, I have grown spiritually and creatively as an artist.

Today people are starting to become more intrapersonal about culture. In fact, many companies, school district and religion organization are implementing cross-cultural programs, which teach interpersonal relationships. There are intrapersonal progresses on various levels in our society. For example, for the first time in our history an African American has been elected president. Some fifty years ago this would had been an impossible dream or reality.

This article has enlightened me to keep perfecting my listening abilities. Learning to be an efficient listener will help an individual succeed in life. In while perusing our goals we should try to make a difference in people’s lives. This can be done by perfecting the art of listening. We live in a world of multiple communication technology, and it has impacted our lives on a monumental level. In retrospect, our society is rapidly becoming an interpersonal global community. However, I believe the best instrument in listening is you.



Lu, Jianying. (2005). The listening style inventory (LSI) as an instrument for improving listening skill. Sino-US English Teaching, 2 (5), 45-50.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Never forget your dreams


Gentle spirit

When I was in kindergarten my teacher ask me in a kind and nurturing voice, “Joseph what do you want to be when you grow up?” I said, “I want to be an artist.” I was five years old, and even then I was able to recognize the sincerity of her question. She believes and understood me. Also, my kindergarten teacher was incredibly compassionate about her tiny students. It seem that Emotional Intelligence was her nature. It was as natural to her as my artistic imagination is with me. That was so long ago, yet I vividly remember that special moment as though it just happen.

Some final thoughts

According to my parents I displayed artistic talent at an early age. Often my mother would comment to me, “ Honey you are like Michelangelo.” She still inspires me to this day, and I am blessed to have a great mother who would encourage me to seek out my artistic identity.

Due to my professional artistic expertise I have had the pleasure of meeting thousands of people from all ages and occupations. The wisdom that I have attainted from encountering such a diversity of individuals contributed in making me an excellent communicator and a more university artist.

So, I would like to ask the child spirit within you, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Sincerely,

Your classmate

Joe Brooks