Truly listening to someone is one of the greatest gifts we give to each other. Listening from our hearts- open and waiting for the other to speak what is truly in their heart - is a ministry of hospitality. It is holy work. Speaking from the heart takes courage - to risk and be vulnerable with another. Connecting with someone at the heart level is a sacred experience.
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"LOVE" devoid of self-gratification, is in essence, the will, to the greatest good...of another.
There is a gift for us in each relationship that comes our way.
Sometimes the gift is a behavior we're learning to acquire: detachment, self esteem, becoming confident enough to set a boundary, or owning our power in another way.
Some relationships trigger healing in us - healing from issues of the past or an issue we're facing today.
Sometimes we find ourselves learning the most important lessons from the people we least expect to help us. Relationships may teach us about loving ourselves or someone else. Or maybe we'll learn to let others love us.
Sometimes, we aren't certain what lesson we're learning, especially while we're in the midst of the process. But we can trust that the lesson and the gift are there. We don't have to control this process. We'll understand, when it's time. We can also trust that the gift is precisely what we need.
Today, I'll be grateful for all my relationships. I will open myself to the lesson and the gift from each person in my life. I will trust that I, too, am a gift in the other people's lives.
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"LOVE" devoid of self-gratification, is in essence, the will, to the greatest good...of another.
I have not been fair in the past when it comes to listening. I judged too quick and left a person in my dust.
My husband is one of the few that I have actually listen to without getting upset or whatever I feel at the time....he has alot of good advice and love to give if I just listen. Hp is another I listen too and a few friends...need to work on more huh
I was reading a chapter for class yesterday, called "Safe Space", about listening. it stressed "Be there, listen, and accept". It talked about listening without judgement or expectation, because another persons perspective is based on a unique background with a different societal and personal family background unlike our own. So we really really need to just sit still and listen without putting our "history" in their place. Others need to be heard, accepting what they say. Too often we are so busy forming our own words in response to them that we are missing what they're trying to say. How often have i done that in meetings, been so focused on what to say when called on that i am missing the message? People do need to be heard, nothing hurts as much as sharing something that is from the heart, and then realizing that the listener is staring off at the tv, or over your shoulder, or down at their hands. That's the kind of reaction that stills open communication, at least for myself. Yup, it's about listening with our hearts, thanks Phil..hugs,wren
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"Never argue with an idiot... They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience..."
