The Greek Philosopher, Epictetus…
…once said, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
But I love talking. Even when a teen stutter strangled my words, mid-sentence. Even if it meant smooching Ireland’s slimy Blarney Stone to power up my ‘gab’.
And yet, in the last few weeks I took my wise ancestor’s words to heart. I went against my have-a-chat heritage and listened…
…to my mother as she moaned about her roast chicken really being a rooster, “…it tasted funny.” And to loved ones who spun lies and broke promises, pleading,
“Hear me out, hear me out!”
But this ain’t a gossip column, it’s a wake up call – sponsored by my ears.
For those of you who believe in your body’s intelligence and its ability to kick into protection mode when you’re pushed, this missive is for you.
On Monday night I found myself in a dizzy spell from hell with a buzzing ear thanks to an infection that sent me reeling and… hurling into the first bowl that was pushed into my hands – ironically, a salad spinner.
A midnight trip to emergency revealed a case of labyrinthitis. Say what?
A dose of antibiotics later and this morning I woke up with clearer ears than I’ve had in weeks. Though I’m still healing, it feels like I’m hearing anew.
New sounds. New thoughts. And a new resolution to listen. To me. More.
Hopefully this Phylosophy won’t fall on deaf ears.
© Phyllis Foundis 2025