Listen to the Whole Story!

My Chosen Brother, David Romero, taught me a lesson that goes beyond its context and that I try to practice to this day.

David is the former percussionist with Earth, Wind, and Fire, probably my most favoritest music group. Okay, next to Tower of Power. Anyway, David is my conga teacher as well as a very close friend. I love that guy! We were hanging out in Germany, as I drove him around the autobahn in my hot BMW. We were listening to a conga solo when I started to change the tune on the CD player. He stopped me immediately and admonished me that, “You can’t stop listening to a cat share his story!” I didn’t change the tune. We listened to the solo and the rest of the song before switching to another album.

To this day, I won’t/can’t interrupt or stop listening to a soloist finish her/his solo, regardless of who it is. I have to hear the story out. I apply that lesson to the context of listening to others speak, as well. I’m guessing it’s an American thing to interrupt others while they’re trying to say something. That’s one of my pet peeves. I don’t like it when others do that to me. I usually forget what I was trying to say. And that ain’t old age…it’s the altitude! I live at 7500 feet. And it’s rude! Let a fella (not sure what the feminine form of “fella” is) finish what they’re saying before sharing your profound wisdom with them.

I’m working on a book that I’ll be titling CHUDUP! The Art of Listening. I think we need to learn and practice how to listen…to the whole story. I’ve heard that “everyone has a story.” I believe that everyone IS a story. Until I write that book, my best advice, and I provide it with all the humility I have, is just shut up and listen!…to the whole story.

bob vásquez