Listening:

 

This word is a powerful reminder that the act of listening involves more than just merely hearing words. Listening is not the same as hearing, and requires the use of more than just the ears. To listen effectively we must engage with others on a heart level. Truly listening involves all the senses. It requires some degree of emotional/mental investment. Often we become so caught up in defending our own position, we disconnect from others before truly listening to what they have to say.

Today, we live in a society of the short attention span, with everything geared towards brief "sound bites" of information. The result is that many have stopped knowing how to truly "listen" to others: body, mind, and soul. It is not so much what is said and heard, as to how we relate and react to the information.

The act of listening empowers and inspires others. It gives them a sense of belonging and understanding. It is the first step on a path to peace and harmonious relationships. Problems remain unsolved when people stop listening.


Today's Exercise:

Reflect on a time where you felt someone close to you was not listening or understanding where you came from. What actions on their part led you to believe that you were not truly being heard?
Think of a time in your life where someone felt you did not hear him or her? Could you have done something different to better connect with this person? When you listen to others, do you make eye contact? Do you work to really empathize with them and try to conceptualize where they are coming from? In what ways can we work
to become better listeners?