Reasons why you should always listen?
"There are so many people talking but only a few are listening"
Listening is the ability to pay attention to and effectively interpret what a person is saying.
In a world full of noise and demands for our attention every time of the day, it becomes increasingly difficult to listen to anyone and even yourself. We are so carried away with trying to make ends meet that we are deaf to even our conscience.
The world is a place filled with so many voices so much that the unimportant things sound the most louder shutting us from hearing and listening to what is most important. It is no wonder the world is chaotic today.
There is a big difference between hearing and listening. While you can go on and on talking without much stress and it’s very hard to stop and listen to yourself or to what the next person is saying. Bryant H. McGill puts it right when he said " One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually to listen to what another has to say".
When you go on like that, it makes the conversation just about you which can be very annoying to the next party. The fact is, everyone is yearning for someone to just give them a listening ear. So instead of talking can you try to listen just for once.
Okay, let’s put it this way. Can you try listening to yourself! Because if only you can stop and listen to what you say to others, you will discover that you’ve not been nice in how you address people.
Or if you stop and listen to yourself, I mean your inner dialogue, you will come to understand that you’ve been saying the wrong things to yourself and about yourself. So, today can listen to what you’ve been saying to yourself? It’s only because you’ve not listened, you’ve been demeaning yourself, your talent and your giftings.
You will hear stuff like
"I’m not good enough"
" I’m not beautiful or handsome like others"
" I will never make it in life, I am just like my father or mother"
These are dialogues that if you stop to listen, you will discover are junk and most be taken out and replaced with positive thoughts.
When I first decided to listen to others speak, it was difficult. I found myself interrupting over and over again. But eventually, I became better.
When you listen to people, you not only hear what they say but you connect with them emotionally. You feel their pain and even the unspoken words in their hearts.
Can you remember the frustration you felt when you wanted to say something and others were talking at the same time? That’s how people feel when you talk while they are talking.
Effective communication is when one does the talking and another the listening.
Listening requires your presence. It requires your attention to be focused on the person. You listen to understand not to say anything. Don’t be distracted by other thoughts or your phone. It takes self-discipline to listen And it’s worth the effort.
The truth is, sometimes what a person may need to heal emotionally or become stirred up to move on in life is just someone to listen to them. That’s the best encouragement at such a moment. Of course, I’m not suggesting you listen to just anyone.
Why should I listen? you may ask.
There are so many hurting people out there that if only someone can listen to them, they will make a tremendous impact on the world around them. You should listen because there are only a few people who are doing that. You should listen because you will know what is happening on your inside and how to address people.
You should listen to those the world has shut out perhaps their message is what we need in this dispensation.
Are you a friend, please listen to what your friend is trying to say!
Are you a parent, listen to what your child has been wanting to say. Give him or her just a minute. That may be what will save that child.
Are you a leader, listen to what your followers may have to say!
Or are you a daughter, a son, listen to mama and papa!
Most importantly when you listen and it demands action, take that action because until that action is taken, listening isn't complete.
