"I'm not hearing a word you are saying"
There are moments when we are in the heat of a discussion and tempers flare, that the art of listening slides to the rear of our minds. Emotions boil up, over and out, carrying acid thoughts and accusations.
When listening ends, we take to heart only what we EXPECT to hear, not what is actually being said, and in an effort to counteract those expectations, the temptation to attack verbally before we are wounded further overtakes us.
Posted in Communication
Tagged Communication, Conflict, focus, listening, respect
Have you ever asked a dear Saint, “How are things with you?” and then received the reply of, “Man, I tell you, the devil is really beating us up.”
You ask what is going on, and they continue with a flourish, all the gory details of conflict, crisis and disasters. “Wow,” you think (and are led to believe) … and in fact, may respond with …. “You must be really doing something right to get beat up like that!”
Wait …
