Perhaps it is because of the shortening of daylight hours (at least in the Northern Hemisphere), but autumn seems to be a time when inner reflection comes easier to a lot of folks. I keep journals of my thoughts, ideas, new affirmations, and sayings that resonate with me. This one speaks to me every time I read it:

"We have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak." (Native American saying)  

It reminds me of a line from a cable television movie of several years ago. The movie was set in Africa, and dealt with ivory poaching and its threat to elephant populations. But the one line that stuck with me, which the screenwriter gave to a young native teen character, was this: "How can your ears hear, when your mouth is so full of words?" This line comes back to me, many times, when I am watching the news and wish that our politicians knew the line, as well as I do.

I've said this before, and it bears repeating. One of the greatest gifts any of us can give to another is our ability to just listen. There are times when we need to talk, and need to have someone listen to us. And then there are times when we need to return the favor. It means getting ourselves and our egos out of the way, and letting someone else take "center stage" for a while. 

And, while we listen, we are building another person - and building ourselves as well.