The Chinese say that the
longest journey begins with the first step. Learning to
listen begins with effective listening in the situations
closest to you. First learn the dynamics of personal
attentiveness. Then go on to interpersonal
listening. Finally you will be able to interpret what
goes on around you, even where youhave no ultimate ability to
influence the situation.
Structural changes in a
system come first from an increase in fluctuations at the
local level. When these become great enough, influences
from outside the system can produce the leverage to alter the
entire system. Your actions that go beyond the local
region are likely to be your least effective actions.
