MISSED CALL

Pick up your mobile phone after having it on silent or vibrate all day. You see the words on the screen and are thrown into panic so you view the names and/or number(s) of the desperate people who have tried multiple times to contact you. They called and sent texts because you were taking too long to respond. The missed call is genius marketing because just the words alone ensure the device never leaves you again.

We don’t like to miss things, not shots, not targets, not significant others. Why miss when I can make? And so it goes with the places we find ourselves. You’re in one job, on one team enjoying your station in life when someone says, “Man, you should’ve been a lawyer.” I get that a lot and it’d be funny if it was funny. It’s worth a contemplative chuckle and those kinds of statements from other people always are. The thought of missing a calling takes you to the same place you momentarily visit upon reaching for the phone. Did I really miss it? Why did I miss it? Can I retrieve it? Can I call it back? Will it answer if I call?

The missed call is potentially consuming and brings a sense of urgency that can be useful or distracting. Bottom line is that calls get missed because of failure to listen. There is a frenetic noise that can ruin our ability to acutely listen. Missed calls are a regular occurrence and the more we fail to listen, the more oblivious we become to what really matters. Soon, I’d be willing to guess, missed calls become dropped calls. But that’s an entry for tomorrow. Peace today in your listening.