Listening

Have you had a conversation with someone when you had the impression they weren’t listening?  Maybe they did most of the talking and when you did speak they didn’t even hear you.  Don’t get me wrong, I like lively conversation and when someone is interesting I like it when they talk. I love listening to others. I also like it when they listen back.

That’s because when you have a conversation with someone, part of the deal is that you need to take time to listen.

Really listen. 

With your heart.  

When you listen with the heart, it’s different than looking like you’re listening.  It means you are paying attention and you are present.  Sometimes that’s really not as easy as it seems.  

If others seem to not be listening, we do need to bear in mind that from time to time they might be preoccupied for a reason…it could be because they’ve had a really bad day, or because they aren’t feeling well.  If you are listening from the heart you will most likely be able to pick up on what’s wrong and you might be able to be a comfort.  

Listening from the heart is a great skill to practice.  It means you’re practicing what Jesus would do, and after all, that’s what transformation is all about.