We discussed the power of listening in our recent caregivers class. Very often we think we are listening but the mind is wandering to other topics. This is very prevalent today in our multi-tasking society. We may be on the phone with someone, but responding to emails, reading mail, or driving the car. It is rare to have a one-to-one conversation any more!
We lose sight of the divinity of the other person when we fail to listen. Other times we are so reactive to what the person is saying that we are busy formulating a reply and not really listening to them at all. We’re cheating the person speaking out of truly hearing what they have to say.
The true gift of listening is where we are fully present and receptive to what another person is saying. We may not fully agree with them, but we honor and listen to their story.Words of wisdom from Fred Rogers, host of “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood,” “The greatest gift that you can give another person is to gracefully receive whatever it is that they want to give us.” We give others the greatest possible gift by consciously listening to them.