An interesting conversation took place in recent days at the Regal Garden in Zumpano on the topic “We know how to read. But do we know how to listen?”, in the presence of the governor of the Calabria District, Dino De Marco. The speaker of the meeting was Sonia Falcone, an esteemed music therapist and counselor.
A very topical topic, that of listening, addressed with competence and professional rigor by the speaker, who highlighted how this ability, often considered natural and taken for granted, instead requires attention, availability and a real openness towards others.
The new president of the Presila Cosenza Est Club, Daniela Fanello, opened the proceedings, illustrating the reasons for the initiative, underlining its cultural and social value. The meeting represented not only an opportunity to learn more about the dynamics of listening, but also a moment of reflection on one of the most significant challenges of our time: recovering the ability to listen to understand, dialogue and build relationships based on mutual respect.
«We know how to read. But do we know how to listen?” began Professor Falcone. «It is a question that asks each of us and invites us to reflect on the value of dialogue in daily life, in family relationships, in educational contexts and within institutions». According to the speaker, the real contemporary challenge does not consist in learning to speak better, but in rediscovering the value of authentic listening, capable of welcoming, understanding and creating harmony. During his speech he also highlighted the profound link between music and human relationships: «Music teaches that it is not the single sound that creates harmony, but the ability of each instrument to listen to the others. The same goes for society and relationships between people. To hear means to perceive a sound; listening means attributing meaning to it. It is in this difference that every authentic relationship is born.”
Governor Dino De Marco underlined the importance and relevance of the topic, announcing his intention to concretely bring this reflection to the attention of Rotary. “Listening does not simply mean hearing,” he concluded. «Feeling is a physiological act; listening is a conscious choice that requires attention, acceptance and availability towards others. In a society characterized by increasingly frenetic pace and rapid communications, the time dedicated to authentic listening unfortunately tends to be reduced. For this reason it is necessary to recover the value of this fundamental practice for the growth of people, communities and our Rotary.
During the evening, three new members joined Rotary: Alessandro Tiano, real estate broker; Carmen Meranda, entrepreneur in the school catering sector and Daniela Celestino, teacher. Finally, a certificate of recognition of merit for his professional commitment to Rotarian service in the Communications sector was given to member Beniamino Morrone.