Take time to listen

How do you feel when someone truly listens to what you have to say? Do you feel connected, validated, contented? We tend to spend most of our time thinking about what we are going to say in response to the other person or judging their words rather than focusing on the message. We are often reminded that there is a reason why we have two ears and only one mouth. I remember attending a program where the presenter asked for a show of hands as to how many people in the room had ever taken a public speaking class. Quite a few hands were raised. Then he asked how many people had ever taken a class on how to listen. I was the only one to raise a hand. I explained that was because I had to go through training in that skill because I was pursuing a degree in counseling. Even with that training I am not always accurate in what I hear. Ask someone you know to tell you what their day was like and try to keep your mind open only to their words. Limit it to only one minute to start. How did you do? What does this tell you about where you are in your ability to listen?