I have been an avid listener and supporter of public radio (and television) for longer than I care to remember. Some time ago, NPR added a segment called This I Believe. It gave opportunity for ordinary people to share their values and philosophies with others. It is a take off of a program of the same name in the early 1950's by Edward R. Morrow of CBS Radio. I do not believe I have disliked any of the short 4-5 minutes segments I have listened to. The presenters are unknown and distant to me yet they seem like close friends talking just to me. Their concerns and values are often my own and they have dreams as I do.

Often I am feeding cattle hay at Rocky Branch in the late afternoon when NPR Evening Edition is on and I get to hear This I Believe without having to log on to the internet to listen to a missed program. Earlier this week, they had on a most interesting and enlightening segment; Inviting the World to Dinner. It was the story of a fellow from Louisiana that lives in Paris, France who invites 50-60 people every week for Sunday dinner. People he has never met. He has been doing this for 30 years. His web site shares much more on his very interesting life and there is a clip from a film about him.

Over dinner that evening Eva and I re-listened to his story and many of the others including those from the 1950's. It is amazing how little has changed over time. In Jim Haynes short dialogue there are a few points that transcend time. "Tolerance leads to respect, then love or at least acceptance". "My roots cover the earth....We should know each other.... Our lives are all connected".

In early January Gina Parosa shared a story about Pathways of Desire. If you have never run across this expression, then I will not spoil it and let you listen to her story. Her piece is very different that Jim Haynes, but they both capture human thought and understanding that transcends every story in This I Believe. Maybe if the world and our nation were more like our story tellers it would be a different place.

Take a moment and spend some time listening to others. I think you will enjoy the experience. Try it with your eyes closed.