“In some South Pacific cultures, a speaker holds a conch shell as a symbol of temporary position of authority. Leaders must understand who holds the conch—that is, who should be listened to and when.”
Max De Pree, Author
One sweltering August day in the south, I laid my inspirational fiction novel on the beach blanket that had become crumpled up beneath me. The beads of perspiration at my hairline and within the folds of my skin begged for the cool ocean waters of the Atlantic, so I made my way through the sand to take a dip. As the seafoam tickled my toes at the water’s edge, my eyes caught sight of a beautiful treasure being tossed about by the incoming tide—a conch shell!
I quickly made my way back to the beach blanket with my treasure, holding it up to my ear and delighting in the sound that came from within. I caught myself listening in a way that I had not noticed before. Somehow, I had blocked out all the other sounds on the beach: seagulls squawking, people talking, children squealing, nothing appealing—except the soothing roar of the conch shell. It captivated me and made me long to be the kind of listener into which I had just become—a listener who can listen at a deep level, so as to block out any and all distractions. But it also churned up a desire in me to be heard with the same kind of focus.
Life Discovery
When was the last time you felt heard? When was the last time you shared your dream without fear of judgment?
A life coach listens and creates a safe and confidential environment in which you can explore your future and be heard without condemnation. You get to hold the conch shell.
Click here to connect with Anne and be heard in a way that you may have never experienced before.
