Hearing vs. Listening?

I wondered today, as I was sitting in the mall at Yorkdale and drawing, why exactly it is that I don't bring a discman or walkman with me everywhere I go.  But I guess the answer is simpler than that I don't think to - I like the new-found beat and rhythm to every day life around me.  The traffic, the wind, the children screaming, the leaves in the trees, the change in people's pockets, the broken shoe of some lady, the varied languages, the varied moods, the people that make up my world -  the backdrop to my happiness.  How can you catch the things to smile at if you're always listening to the
same tune?  Like the little boy learning to throw pennies in to a wishing pool! Sharing the smile across the water with his mommy, knowing I got a sneak peak into their world, I'll probably never cross paths with again but I'll remember this moment at least  for a couple days - and because I wrote about it, most likely longer - pausing to look at his face to hopefully hold it in my mind just a little clearer, his innocent expression, his mother's tender touch, things that are not a common part of  my life but which I can partake in by paying attention to my ENVIRONMENT!