How Not Talking Rocks Your World

Or maybe how deliberately listening does

Photo by Larry George II on Unsplash

At a local forum with some town officials in our library this week, one of the town representatives looked at me as I was leaving and said, “Carrie, how about you? Do you have any questions?”

I balked and stuttered out, “N-no. I’m good.”

They tried again, which was kind of them. “You’re a reporter; you must have a question to ask. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

I explained my philosophy on reporting local news. I don’t insert myself into the conversation because I believe that can create an undue influence in the meeting. I’m not about creating news; I’m about reporting it. I will usually only ask a clarifying question afterward, not during a meeting.

Everyone sort of stared at me. Someone might have muttered that this was cool. Someone else assured me that I could ask anything at any time, which was kind.

And I worried that even though I believe in this way of reporting with all my heart, it might be a cop-out. So, I made a joke. Everyone laughed and I took off.

Maybe though, it isn’t just about me not wanting to be biased. Maybe it’s about me wanting to not have to worry about talking so that I can just listen.

Also earlier this week, I was interviewed by a new reporter, which is always super uncomfortable for me even though she was the loveliest, coolest human ever. Also, she gives great hugs.

The thing is I don’t like talking about myself, which is probably pretty selfish. That’s because when I don’t talk about me, I get to learn about the other people.

Talking about me keeps the focus on me, and I’m with me enough of the time. I don’t need to give myself the extra attention.