“Learning never takes place while you’re talking.”

Andy Stanley

The first place my mind went to upon reading this quote was the need to be quiet and listen when in others’ presence—the need to focus on asking quality questions and then listening, truly listening, to the responses.  

Upon further reflection, I think there is much more to this, a much deeper level of meaning.  What if I were to apply the same process and focus on myself? What if I were to ask myself the right questions and then focus on the answers that my mind creates?  

Often in life, we spend all our time focused on the external but skip over or neglect the critical internal narrative and opportunity to learn by probing into our thoughts. Perhaps our most significant moment for learning will come from creating the ability to pause, the courage to ask and answer the tough questions, and the opportunity to reflect on and learn from the answers made within our minds.  

As humans, we were explicitly created with this intention. “Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part [of my heart] You will make me know wisdom.” Psalms‬ ‭51:6‬ ‭AMP

‘Learning never takes place while you are talking;’ learning takes place when you are listening.  What questions are you asking yourself, and are you devoting the time and attention to listen to the answers you create?