The Act of Listening

As a child, one of my favorite things to do when our family would get together was listen to all the childhood stories that my aunts and uncles would tell. I loved hearing them laugh as they would share and reminisce.

I've always been a great listener. Since I didn't talk very much, I became great at listening.

Now, I make a living in business, listening to other people's stories.

We give so much to others when we choose to listen to them, really listen by giving them our attention and seeking to understand their perspective and empathizing with their joy and their pain.

Listening to others is an act of generosity. It is giving to others the right to be heard. The right to have a voice and a place to use that voice.

Listening to others is an act of discovery. It is discovering a different view point from yours. Discovering new information that could change your life.

Listening to others is an act of empathy. It is seeking to really hear what the other person is saying and seeking to feel what they are feeling in the moment. It is seeking to understand why they believe what they believe.

Listening to others is an act of respect. It is respecting and showing value to them. Showing that they matter and what they have to say matters. It allows them to be heard! Allows them to have a right to exist!

Listening is so much more than just hearing words!

Discovering Life Together!

Martha