Open Ears, I Listen!

Open Ears, I Listen!

By Allen Merritt ©2018

I saw a sign the other day which read, “Open Ears, I Listen.”

I think it was an advertisement whereby a person was providing their listening services to those in need. In other words, if you needed someone to talk to because you didn’t have anyone else to talk to about the situation, they were there to help fulfill that need.

I began to think on how listening is a huge component to communication, but also on how the art of listening effectively is not passive. It is active and attentive. What you attend to IS what you are paying attention to. There is a sense of focus and concentration when one is listening carefully and consciously.

A lot of positivity is gained when one observes, notices, pays attention and actually hears what is being said, whether it is garnering wisdom, a sense of peace and calm, providing a bit of healing to another or in learning new visions and perspectives.

So many people selectively hear whatever it is they want to hear these days. Or, they feign listening when they actually are looking elsewhere and/or are engaged in something else such as social media, television or caught up in another activity. Failing to hear someone can be a downfall to any relationship building.

Have you ever noticed how upset people get when they feel no one is listening or paying attention to them? The situation rapidly turns negative. It may even lead to a person giving up altogether. No one appreciates feeling as if they are only seen and not heard. Every living human being wants to be treated with respect and as if they are alive and a part of something. Keeping this in mind, I wanted to touch on how listening is a form of recognition of other individuals. It purports they are there and they exist.

Otherwise, a person might feel ignored, played down to and treated as insignificant, as well as unrecognized or even unwanted; all negative ideals.

What are the true benefits to listening carefully, consciously and compassionately?

Well, we might learn something about ourselves or another. It’s possible to learn a little about a topic we never encountered before. There is the healing component when individual’s need to share thoughts, feelings and require help in letting go of a hurtful situation. Then there is the growth element whereby we get a little closer to another human being, we get to know each other better and find common ground and understanding with each other. Of course, there is the education side. To listen is to learn and move forward in life. I mean, think about it. If you go to a college class, you have to listen to the lecture and take effective notes to pass the class. It is by paying attention you work toward landing that degree and enhancing your opportunities in life. It makes complete sense to me how listening requires us to open our ears, as well as our minds and hearts.

Often times it leads to good things! And that is what positivity is all about.

How do you know you are listening effectively? Consider a few of the following ideas.

• Maintaining eye contact, but not starring.
• Using subtle physical acknowledgements such as smiling, nodding your head or slight verbalizations.
• Never interrupting the other person.
• Remaining calm, cool and collected.
• Trying not to fidget or look off at other things during the engagement.

Furthermore, what is good for the goose is good for the gander, as they say. This means, if you want to be heard and others to listen to you, then you should provide the same courtesy in return. There is a healthy give and take in this department when all parties collectively work together in this way.

If we want positive enlightenment, we ought to think candidly on the idea of opening our ears and listening. That includes listening to ourselves, our intuition and still small voices. Trust your gut, pay attention and listen for better outcomes.

May we all operate by the concept of “Open Ears, I Listen!”

Have a great week listening and being heard.

Cheers!