The Art of Listening or I Didn’t Know You Were So Smart!

Yes, listening is an art form. It is something that must be practiced continuously. When we do so, it is amazing how intelligent others become! We, as humans, want to be heard. We love to talk. But, when we stop and listen to others, allowing them to speak and share their thoughts, we bless them and ourselves.

Sometimes, we just need to be heard. We just want someone to listen. We don’t need advice. We just need the opportunity to release what needs to be said. When we have someone who will actually and actively listen, really listen, to what is said, then comes a level of knowing. A gift has been given.

It’s like when someone comes to your place of work and has a complaint. The best way to handle someone’s complaint is to truly listen to what they have to say. Actively hear them. Repeat back what they have said to be sure that what they said was what you heard. Solutions come about when talking culminates into active hearing. Real conversations take place. We learn so much when we stop and listen.