I dont' think you are really close to labor - if you were close - I would think you'd be dialated to at least 1 or 2. I think its pretty normal for your cervix to be starting to get soft at this point, but if its high and thick then you aren't that close to labor. Godo Luck!
soft really means nothing...
are you dilated? did he give you a percent of effacement you are?
im 3 centimeters dilated and 90% effaced. Ive been 2 centimeters dilated for 2 weeks and just progressed last week to 3. i was 60% effaced (cervix thinned out) and the following week I was 90%.
from what it sounds like, you're not even dilated yet. I think you'll probably have a while to go.