MUSINGS and other writing by Mark Kolke

. . . . . . there is no edge to openness

TODAY'S MUSINGS

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MARK SPEAKS

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CONTACT

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WHY I WRITE MUSINGS

SHORT STORY PROJECT

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MARK'S SPEAKING TIPS

SELECTED OTHER WORK

     
 
INCOMING CALLS
Monday, January 10, 2022    
 
 
It’s easy to give people only two minutes without considering whether they need two minutes or two hours – because we are busy. We can ‘talk to them anytime,’ or because we have more pressing matters at hand. And we do, our logic makes sense – c’mon, we’re busy!
 
When someone calls, are we taking time to listen?
 
So easy, be quick, short chats, or let calls go to voice-jail.
 
Over time, I noticed a shift.
 
In me.
 
In callers too.
 
Sometimes it’s once a month, sometimes it’s twice a week, when phones ring – it’s an old friend, a new one, an old familiar client, or complete stranger who calls and wants to talk, and they’ve reached out to me.
 
Telemarketers get the same-old quick dismissal from me, but I’m talking about conversations with people worth making time for – folks who, as we rationalize, are busy. They’ll understand.
 
I don’t usually have the time, so it always seems, in that moment. I’ve gotten past that – which doesn’t make work disappear; almost always, work can wait, and it seems I’m no further behind than usual.
 
Conscious change, making changes – trying, to listen more, and those conversations seem deeper and more worthwhile than ever.
 
Most are long ones. I’ve had conversations during which I’ve received a few voice messages and several emails. I ignore them until the person who called me is done talking.
 
These calls, those conversations – wow, never would have happened before.
 
The difference I’m noticing – they don’t call to hear me blather or fail to demonstrate understanding. Instead, some call to talk. Sometimes these conversations are short – even then, they are better conversations.
 
 
 
 
Some recent talks: Mark Speaks

 


 
 

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