Listening has become a lost skill. It seems like an easy thing to do, listen, but I believe it has become complicated by our need to show we are prepared at all times.
Being prepared is a good thing; not paying attention when one should be listening is not.
I do not generally count myself as a good listener; I talk too much. My grandmother used to say, "God gave you one mouth and two ears, so that you can listen twice as much as you talk." Of course, that was lost on a little child.
As I get older, though, I am learning to listen more and trying to develop listening as a skill.
Many of us, when we should be listening, instead are thinking about how we want to respond, so we fail to truly listen to what is being said.
In workplace meetings, we don't want to seem unprepared, so rather than concentrating on what is being said, and the accompanying facial expressions and other nuances that go along with the words, we concentrate on formulating our response.
We all want to look intelligent when asked a question; and while I don't advocate being surprised and unaware for the inevitable questions, I do advocate listening and watching carefully. Many times, we can learn as much from the unspoken facial expressions of others as we do from the spoken words. It is amazing what one can learn just by watching and listening.
What has gotten me to thinking about listening is visiting with our elderly family members, friends and church members. Many times what they want is for someone to just listen.
They don't need answers, just a kind person to listen to their concerns and their remembrances of days gone by. When I take the time to really listen to an elderly person, it is an eye-opening and joyous moment.
Take time to truly listen and spend time with your elderly family members. They have so much wisdom to impart. You will be amazed at the knowledge they can share if you will take the time to sit down, listen and let them speak without interruption.
Share some kindness this week, by truly listening to others.
If you see me on my jaunts around town, please say "hi."
Janice Lynn Crose lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Listening is a lost skill