Life doesn't move in straight lines, and neither does a good conversation.

In this new world, you and I make it up as we go along, not because we lack expertise or planning skills, but because that is the nature of reality. Reality changes shape and meaning because of our activity. And it is constantly new. We are required to be there, as active participants. It can't happen without us and nobody can do it for us.

Probably the most visible example of unintended consequences, is what happens every time humans try to change the natural ecology of a place.

Whatever life we have experienced, if we can tell our story to someone who listens, we find it easier to deal with our circumstances.

we don't have to agree with each other in order to think well together. There is no need for us to be joined at the head. We are joined by our human hearts.

We know from science that nothing in the universe exists as an isolated or independent entity.

There are many benefits to this process of listening. The first is that good listeners are created as people feel listened to. Listening is a reciprocal process - we become more attentive to others if they have attended to us.