Sometimes I think we have lost this ability to listen to those around us, to deeply hear the spoken and non-spoken words around us. At times, it feels like we spend too much talking past each other. When will we listen well to what is being said?
Go
“Can you let me finish?”
I questioned my lad.
“Allow to me say everything before you answer.
Listen to what I am actually saying.”
I’ve learned the importance
of having my lad STOP and actually hear me.
Giving him that “you have to stop” moment
Seems to give him permission to not rush ahead
To ponder my words and
not worry about my gaps as I collect all my thoughts.
I’ve also needed to learn to
Stop, and as I listen to consider
the words beyond what he is physically saying.
To ask questions of clarification.
My lad often assumes that I know
what he hasn’t told me.
And so, as we pause in our communications
we discover something interesting.
We are enabled to listen well to
each other.
And in practicing that skill,
we are surprised to discover the depth
of knowledge and insight that each other has.
Conversations are wonderful
when you take the time to listen well to each other.
To catch glimpses of a heart.
To consider ideas that previously
weren’t there.
and so we learn as we listen well.
Stop
This post is part of the Write 31 days Challenge. Find a list of the rest of my posts here.
Annette, this is lovely; your poetic heart sings more lyrically with every passing week.
Oh, this one steps on my toes. We have, as a family, gotten into a bad habit of assuming one is done speaking before they actually are. I am trying to be more consistent in it so that I can “listen well” but oh, it is hard.
it is very hard, and I’m constantly messing up, but we do try. … that’s all we can do..keep trying.