Thursday, January 14, 2010

Listening





Are you a good listener? I think in the world today that we've lost the art of listening. We all try to move through life as quickly as we can & don't have time to truly listen to the people in our lives. One of the best ways to stay connected with your soul is to slow down & pay attention to everything that's in your life. This includes listening to the people in your life.

I know we all think we are good listeners. It seems to be a trait that most people think they possess but if you're truly honest with yourself you'll probably agree that you need a little help in this area. Listening to everything that comes into your life can open your mind to new discovers that otherwise would be hidden. Focus on what the people are saying. Don't think about how to respond to what you think they're saying. Take the time to actually listen.

Beyond listening to the people in your life, expand your mind to listen to the universe. Sometimes when we're struggling for answers to things in our life. If we change our focus to things we don't normally pay attention to we can find the answers we're looking for. Until you try this, I know it sounds a bit odd but trust me, you'll never understand the true benefit it can bring. Start by sitting in a park listening to the birds, I mean really listening, listen to every note they sing. This active listening can open your mind to the answers your looking for. The truth is what do you have to lose. You can at least enjoy the song the birds sing. This active listening can be anything in your life; the sound of the wind, the water or just the quiet. Take time to listen, really listen & your life will change.

Begin today practice listening to everything in your life, even the things you don't want to listen to. Pay attention & open your mind your life will be better because of it.

Till Monday, enjoy your weekend.

Bill

Quote of the day: "Open your mind & listen to everything in your life today...really listen. By paying attention to the smallest detail you can find the answers you're looking for."




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10 comments:

Arabella said...

Listening is indeed so important. I know that I use to be a great listener and then worked in an environment where I learned to turn everything off, including the hearing. It's been hard work to get out of this habit.

I love to just take a few minutes and go outside, close my eyes and listen to the surf or birds chirping...there is something restorative about it. It clears the mind, helps my focus and makes me more productive.

Have a great weekend.

Marie
http://www.theSoyCandle.net

Anonymous said...

I know I'm a terrible listener. I have been accused of this before, so I know it is a weakness. I'm going to try the simple exercises in your posts, and see how it works. And through the process of simply listening, I'm sure I will discover a little part of myself I didn't know existed. Thanks!

Writer Unleashed said...

Hey Bill. Did you know that silent is an anagram of listen? How cool is that :) Listening is definitely important. To listen, is to put yourself aside and just try to be where the other person is sitting. By doing that you build a connection. And isn't it nice when someone listens to you? So it's nice to give that honour to someone else. And just listening to the sounds of nature, paying attention to all the things around is so wonderful. There is a rhythm to nature that is good for our souls.

Bernadine said...

I love the idea of listening to the universe! I think that is the best kind of peace to be found. It's just too bad that in the rush of everybody life, we seem to forget that it's there.

As for listening with other people, I too used to be a good listener, but must admit, once it became a requirement of my job to "have to listen", I began to turn it off and tune it out.

Thanks for the wonderful post & thoughts and the much needed reminder.

TIFFANY MULLINGS said...

I enjoy reading your blogs, they are very reflective to me! I invite you to read my blog, I'm sure you'll be satisfied, our insight is quite similar regarding certain topics...Until next time Timberwolf...***Tiffany Mullings

http://tiffanymullings.blogspot.com/

Jenn said...

I know that I have a hard time listening when people tell me details to their life that I don't have a context for. Like when someone I don't know really well tells me a story about someone I've never met. Bill, do you have any practical suggestions about how to listen well in those sorts of situations? If you do, I'd love to hear them!

Anonymous said...

I've always been pretty good with listening to people. I find that most people are just so anxious to say what they want to say that instead of listening to the other person, they continually interrupt them. If you can't take the time to listen to what your friend wants to say, why should they take the time to listen to what you have you have to say? Reminds me of this quote: "God gave us two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we talk."

Timberwolf123 said...

Jenn,

I think we all run into the person who goes on & on about themselves. it can be difficult to stay focused but here's what I do. Remember that if someone is talking about themselves they have a real need they may seem to only want attention but they are probably insecure with who they are & so they truly are looking for help (even if they don't listen to what you have to say). I remember this first then I try & have an open heart & remember that love knows no bounds. When they are actually talking I try to pay special attention to key words that keep me involved with the conversation & I try to only interrupt when I need clarification or to show that I'm paying attention. Many times if you frame what the person is saying back to them they will know you are listening. Many times people ramble on because they don't think people are really listening.

In the cases where none of this works I tend to try & ask a lot of questions because this will always keep me engaged in the conversation.

I hope this helps.

Hugs,

Bill

Jenn said...

Great tips! Thanks Bill. :)

Healing Morning said...

Another great post! Now, my question is this - are you SURE we're not related in some distant manner? Either that, or you're walking around in my head, because you write and suggest many things that I throw out to friends and family, and incorporate into my own daily life.

One of them is, not kidding, listening to the Universe! Someone in my past dubbed it "Dawn's Dandelion Distraction Habit". That's because we were walking through a fancy garden attached to an equally snooty restaurant one late afternoon, waiting to be called inside for our reservation. I stopped dead still on the path, captivated by the fact that in the midst of the ruthlessly pruned, orderly flower beds, there was a plucky, daredevil dandelion, blooming away! I had to stand there for a few quiet moments and absorb the sheer beauty of that moment.

My dining companion failed to appreciate it in the way I did, but he appreciated ME for having clear eyes to notice a moment of beauty and give it voice, thus encouraging him to look more deeply. That's how Dandelion Distraction Habit was dubbed and continues to this day, all over the place!

I notice those small moments and this has always bewildered those around me. To me, the tiny, overlooked, infinetesimal moments sing more loudly than big, splashy, in your face displays. I "listen" to the world around me, the people around me, with different eyes and ears and I find it to be deeply rewarding.

So, thank you, my friend, for giving voice to something I practice with great enthusiasm!

~ Dawn