Listening Through the Noise for Healing

I’ve always been in awe of my dad’s ability to tune out the rest of the world at will, and focus his attention in the present moment. It seems to come naturally to him in a way that can be elusive to the rest of us. I think it’s partly because he’s an avid reader. During my childhood, his books frequently accompanied him to the dinner table (only if he was at a good part and couldn’t put it down!). He’s quick to recommend the books he loves, but rarely reveals anything specific about them. He’ll share one or two details, like it’s really funny or it reminds him of another author, but leaves you to draw your own conclusions. He knows that the way he interprets a book will be slightly different than the way anyone else does, and he enjoys discussing those aspects of shared books. Well-developed characters who straddle the moral lines of life and trust their own hard-earned wisdom are his jam, because that is exactly how he lives his own life. He is brilliant at listening to the beat of his own drum, never questioning whether the music is good or not; knowing that it is infinitely more important to make music for yourself rather than try to satisfy the larger audience.

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