One of the greatest things we can do in life is listen. Truly listen.
So right now, I’ll quit talking and give you a piece of writing by Linda Stowe concerning that very topic.
~~~~~~~~~
Listening By Linda Stowe
My brother is the kind of person who if you asked him what time it is, he will tell you how to build a clock. It’s not so much that he likes to hear himself talk. It’s just that if he finds a topic interesting, he will go into it at length. If I asked him how many pairs of socks he had, he would either make a guess or tell me to ask his wife. However, if I ask him whether he thought I needed to have my duct work cleaned he would go into such detail about air handling systems that my eyes would glaze over.
I used to complain about my brother’s compulsion to talk so much. Then I had an epiphany. One day I spent a good ten minutes explaining my very detailed budgeting system and during all that time he had the grace to sit there and listen to me. He might have let his mind wander as I lectured on, but he didn’t try to cut me off or interrupt. He just let me talk. What a gift. I try to remember that moment when my brother is telling me the same story word for word for the tenth time. Conversation isn’t just about telling someone something. It’s also about listening to what they have to say.
~~~~~~~~~
Coincidentally, I have a brother who is an excellent listener. He is also very wise. And. Here is another thing. Today is his birthday. Happy Birthday, Dear Ed. My dear brother. I love you.
And. Back to listening.
Listening. It is so very important.
The key, I think, is in truly giving someone our full attention. It is the ability to genuinely be present with someone. And when we give this to someone, we are growing. We are becoming more aware of our place in this Universe. We are expanding. Not only in our knowledge, by hearing what they say, but also in our capacity for understanding and empathy.
To fully understand our world, we must learn to listen.
“”””””””
“Listening is not a reaction, it is a connection.” – Kate Murphy
“”””””””
“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” – Bryant H. McGill
“”””””””
“Listening is the beginning of understanding. Wisdom is the reward for a lifetime of listening.” – Jim Krause
“”””””””
The Listening By Linda Stowe
