Can I Tune Out Complaints?

How are you supposed to be an intent listener and focus on what someone is saying if they don't listen to you?

I had this problem earlier this week.

A friend of mine broke up with her boyfriend of two years a few months ago. She loves him, but doesn't want to marry him and could see that was the direction they were headed if they stayed together.

Her ex is having a hard time with this, and since I am good friends with both of them, I have somehow become a middle-man between his complaining about her and pining for her attention, and her attempts to wash her hands of the whole situation.

It really has gotten serious...one night he tried to start a fight with a much bigger guy out of stupid jealousy and she literally had to hit him in the face to get him to snap out of it.

So he talked to me endlessly a few nights ago, very upset, claiming all of her friends refuse to talk to him anymore because she has "stolen" them away to her side. There are sides here? I am sorry if I don't want to listen to his whining and moaning about her "giving him another chance". Especially if I am not aloud to tune him out this week.

He also has convinced himself she wants nothing more than to twist the knife he believes she has stabbed through his heart. If only he could take her out to a nice dinner, talk to her parents, go to a movie, convince her friends they should be together...

AHH!! NO!!

She will never change her mind. I told him that. Several times.

I know it is hard for you, I wish I could make you feel better, but this is how it is. I told him that. Several times.

All to no avail. He continued repeating the same things so I yelled at him that I couldn't listen to it anymore and stalked off.

So is it better that I just left, or am I a cold-hearted person for not wanting to sympathize with him anymore? At least I didn't have to listen to it anymore.

Do You Understand the Words that are Coming Out of my Mouth?

I know, I know...I am a little late posting my challenge for the week. Maybe my challenge should be not procrastinating with anything. YIKES! I would have a lot of catching up to do.

Here they are (drumroll please)...

• Wake up 10 minutes early and do a daily devotional.


• When people speak to you, give them your full attention and listen to what they are saying.


• Do something nice for a stranger every day.

Since I can be, not spacey, let's say uninterested, at times and being attentive to what people are saying is something I really should work on I have chosen the second one.

Especially working on getting a degree in public relations, which relies heavily on communication, I can always improve my non-zoning out skills.

The hardest part about this will be trying to find fascinating people to talk to all week. Otherwise I fear I may slip back into the fascinating thoughts in my head instead.