Monday, October 31, 2011

Pitching Tents, Pitching Ideas


by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Lech Lecha

Ever notice how we respond to someone's idea?

"Oh, well..." Hardly before we've taken it in, we're already giving over ours.

Now, Avraham would always pitch his wife's tent before his own (Midrash on Bereshit 12:8).

Let's extend the idea of pitching a tent (ohel) to pitching an idea (oh, well...).

We're so attached to our ideas. Some of us even write blogs about them(!).

But what if we invested in the other's idea first, before our own?

The next time someone shares an idea with you, don't judge it or respond right away.
Pitch their idea right back at them. Give yourself time to settle into it. Pull the flaps down. 
Only when you've given it enough time and consideration, dare to pitch yours.

What would our lives be like if we communicated like this?


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