“I never like to think of myselfas arrogant, but I do believe we allhave something worth saying andworth listening to.”

Stay with me for a second while Ibreak the Third Wall.

When you glance at the columns inThe Bell Ringer, why should you pay attentionto anything we write? Let’s getpersonal: Why should you read anythingI write? I’m going to venture to sayyou probably don’t know me, haven’tmet me and wouldn’t know what I looklike if not for the headshot next to thiscolumn. What could possibly be so importantabout what I’m saying that youwould stop and read a complete stranger’sopinion?

These are the thoughts that come tomy mind when it’s my time to write acolumn for The Bell Ringer. To be honest,I always blank at the task and sitstaring at a white screen as I try to thinkof what’s important enough or even interestingenough for people to pay attentionto me to go on and on for 500words. I overthink the column and beginasking “Will people even read this?” or“Do I even have anything important tosay?”

The late radio and television writer,Andy Rooney, said that writing requiressome degree of arrogance because awriter has to believe that what he or shewrites is worth reading.

I never like to think of myself asarrogant, but I do believe we all havesomething worth saying and worth listeningto.

And why should we listen? Listeningto others gives us new experiences. I see things differently every time I listento someone who has more life experiencethan I do. I always walk awayricher. Life experiences are not just amatter of age but what people have donewith their lives. I’ve been married fortwo years and my wife and I have beenhomeowners for almost a year. I’m constantlyseeking out people who havebeen homeowners or married longer orthan I have and people do the same withme.

Listening to people also makes usthink. While you are (hopefully still)reading this column you may agree withwhat I have to say and it reinforces yourthoughts. You may disagree with me,but it makes you think about why youdisagree with me and makes you haveto justify your opinions to yourself orothers.

Listening to others gives us newways of looking at things. It makes usstop looking at the world through yourown rose-colored glasses and look atthe world through different lenses. Thisis why I love listening to people’s stories.As a writer, I know the power of agood story. A great story draws us in andmakes us forget about ourselves. Storiesinvite us into people’s minds and allowus to imagine what life is like walkingin their shoes.

So, why should you read this columnor any other column? Because readingthem will get you out of your own head.