The First Howl

Currently making the rounds on You Tube these days is a video of a puppy husky howling for the first time. His sound is squeaky and soft, but very adorable and fun. To say the least, it is not a noise that any other dogs would find particularly frightening, intimidating or, for that matter, worth paying attention to. That, of course, will change. It almost goes without saying that within a relatively short period of time as the puppy grows into adulthood, its sound will be the opposite of what it is in this early stage of its life. The sound will be one of note. It will be one other dogs will pay attention to and, quite possibly, even take action on depending on.

That puppy's initial howls are not unlike the noises all of us make when we first begin finding our own voice. In this case, however, I am not talking about the actual sound we make but the substance of what it is we are attempting to say. Finding one's voice is rarely a smooth process. It involves gaining the confidence to speak in front of others, a belief in one's self that you actually have something to say, a command of the facts from which one is speaking, and, of course, an understanding of what it is you want to say. The realty, however, is that even with these elements there is no guarantee people will listen to, understand or agree with your "howl."   

Perhaps it will be the same for that puppy when it grows into adulthood: not all of its fellow dogs will listen to its howls. It is not different for us. Any one can be heard but not everyone is actually listened to. In many ways, achieving that end is a primary ingredient in the act of effective communication. Being listened to suggests respect, acceptance and a level of esteem - all needs scholars have identified as being key to our own emotional well being. Ideally, as we mature we develop a greater appreciation of what is needed if we are to be listened to. It is important, however, that we continue to act on that appreciation and be more than simply content to make noise.