Monday, September 6, 2010

Listening to Others



Really listening to another person with our full attention is a gift.

We all want to be heard, but what does that require of the listener? That they be present, without distraction, and fully engaged in the conversation. Looking directly and deeply at the person speaking and paying fulll attention to what they're saying isn't always easy. We are oftentimes distracted; phone calls, text messaging, thinking about what we want to say, etc.

What if - we actually listened without interuption and connected to the person speaking?! What if - we were so fully engaged that listening to what the other person was saying was the most important thing at that moment?! What if - we listened with compassion, love and friendship?! When engaged in conversation let's offer the gift of really listening and hearing what others have to say, of connecting on a deeper level, of truly paying attention. The gift we receive may be even greater; we may learn something new about ourselves as well as the other person.

It feels great to be heard!

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