The Gift of Your Undivided Attention:
July 24, 2008 by Linda Robinson
Active Listening Heals
Sanctuary
I welcome you as a noble guest
Into a sacred space created just for you.
I place my full attention upon you
And listen with alert stillness.
I allow you to be as you are.
You begin to change…
Have you ever noticed that the words “listen” and “silent” are composed of the exact same letters? When that was pointed out to me a couple of years ago I knew I had received a gift that I could use again and again. Since then, whenever I see or hear either of these words I am reminded of what peace there is in silence and the restorative power of listening to another.
To actively listen is to devote your full attention to someone, to genuinely care what the other person has to say and to encourage them to keep talking. Active listening involves eye contact; maybe a hand placed gently upon an arm. It is remembering what you heard and responding appropriately.
Active listening is not planning what you’re going to say while waiting for your turn to speak. It is not acting as if you are in a hurry, even if you are. It is not looking around the room to see what else might be going on. And it can’t happen while you’re busy multi-tasking.
Active listening is noticing what, when and how something is being said. It accepts, explores, understands, and supports self-expression. Listening in this way increases the speaker’s sense of being valued.
Giving our undivided attention is a means of showing love and respect, and deepens our connection to one another. People and relationships can be healed through silence and listening.
Who can you give the gift of your presence and rapt attention to today?
Linda Robinson
Personal Success Coach
Spirit First with Linda Robinson Website
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Linda,
Yes, listening can heal. I remember years ago a man came into my store and since I was not busy with other customers he stayed and talked for about an hour. I did not know him but he told me all about his fear of going into the hospital the next day for cancer surgery. I listened with an open heart and when the man turned to leave he looked back over his shoulder and said “thank you for being such a good listener.” We both smiled at each other and he was gone. I never saw this man again so I have always wondered if he made it through his surgery. To this day I have no way of knowing what an impact I had on his day and this was long before I learned the power of listening, by being a trained life coach. So….anyone can make a difference just by listening! Who in your life needs to be heard?
Coach Judith