18 Nov, 2009
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Rock 'n' Roll May Help You Communicate
When tested against non-musicians, musicians demonstrated faster neural timing, enhanced representation of speech harmonics, and more
Turn up the freedom rock! A new study suggests that musicians may be better at hearing certain sounds, thanks to rock 'n' roll.
The Journal of Neuroscience published findings this week from a study conducted by neurobiologists at Northwestern University in Chicago. It's the first biological evidence that musicians' have a perceptual advantage for "speech-in-noise."
When tested against non-musicians, musicians demonstrated faster neural timing, enhanced representation of speech harmonics, and less degraded response morphology in noise. That is to say, they were more effective communicating in noisy environments.
Story provided by: foxnews.com.
James 1:19-20 (New International Version)
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
What does God's Story scripture teach us about listening before we react?
James is first written to Jewish believers who come out of a system that requires a lot of stuff to be done. Sacrifices must be made; checklists must be gone through. James is confronting that culture and not throwing it out entirely, but trying to bring a fresh light and look at how works function with faith when being led by Jesus. James is asking the question, "What is the outgrowth (or works) of following Jesus?"
One of the places where James encourages his readers to live out this faith is in their response to each other. He offers the challenge of staying calm and not reacting, but listening, and responding without anger. This is a tough admonition in a society that teaches us to react. If a restaurant gets your order wrong, throw a fit, and demand they fix it. If you get cut off in traffic, yell and scream, flip them the "bird." James would argue this is not how following Jesus is lived out, but rather it is through listening and the answering without rage or anger.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
How do we learn to have listening as our "knee jerk" reaction? I was talking with someone about basketball, and we were talking about how to speed up their hands, feet, and eyes when they were playing defense. The solution came down to practice. If they were going to improve their speed they would just have to practice more. Truth is, if we want our response to be listening, it has to be a practice in our lives. The more we listen when we aren't angry, the more likely that will be our reply when our temper flares.
You can practice by being the listener in a conversation with a friend; ask them more questions than you get asked. You can practice by developing listening as a spiritual discipline in your own life. Find time each day just to sit in silence; even just 5 minutes will make a difference when you are angry.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
The biggest connection you make with your friend is when they see a difference in how you respond to bad things. When you respond and keep your anger in check, they'll eventually want to know why and how.
Another place it connects is the opportunity it gives your friends to be heard. People want someone to listen to them; they want someone to hear their thoughts. It will mean a lot to your friends when you are willing to slow down and listen to what they are saying. That act of love might be enough to get them asking questions about why you listen.
- February 2012 [5]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [21]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
