Hello? 📞♥️📞⁣

HELLO? 📞♥️📞⁣

Are you there? ⁣

Can you HEAR me? ⁣

Are you LISTENING?⁣

Henri Nouwen, a Dutch writer and professor once described listening like this-⁣

"Listening is much more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond...The beauty of listening is that, those who are listened to start feeling accepted, start taking their words more seriously and discovering their own true selves. Listening is a form of spiritual hospitality by which you invite strangers to become friends." ⁣

⁣

Merriam Webster defines LISTEN as⁣

Paying attention and to hear something with thoughtful attention and give consideration to.⁣

Relationships depend on good communication and ACTIVE LISTENING. Your significant other, children, friends, co-workers, and strangers will all benefit from improved listening skills.⁣

When you are being spoken to, are you really listening? Are you listening to understand or are you formulating a reply/your next question?⁣

To have meaningful interactions, clear the agenda in your mind and open space for the one you are listening to.⁣

Actively listening starts by paying 100% attention to who is speaking. ⁣

Make eye contact. Turn your body towards the person who is talking. ⁣

Pay attention to their body language and tone in their voice. ⁣

Do not interrupt.

Allow for the gift of silence. Allow space for the conversation to be finished on one end before a response is offered. Interruption can be interpreted as not being heard.⁣

Repeat and summarize what you have just heard, without adding your own opinions first. This will allow for complete understanding.⁣

⁣Listening is a skill that takes practice, but the people around you will feel more understood and supported.  ⁣

The first step is being aware that practice is needed.♥️📞⁣

⁣How are your listening skills with so much together time? I know I need a self-check♥️♥️.