active listening

We are not very good at listening.  Someone else is talking, and we are usually thinking about what we are going to say when they stop talking.  Or we are daydreaming or thinking about where we are going later in the day.

If we expect to have real and valuable relationships with people, we must listen to them.  We must focus on what they are saying with a heart of understanding.  How does this make them feel? What are they experiencing.  Not what am I experiencing, but what are  they experiencing?  Listening is setting aside my life for a moment and leaning into the life of another.

How good are you at really listening?  I believe this is something that all of us can work on.  The world is a better place when we are hearing others.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.