The Listening Ear
It is truly remarkable how high the human spirit is able to soar when listened to. ~Viola M. Jaynes
Listening to someone is a great opportunity to give the other person a profound and lasting gift. Most people are so involved and busy with their own affairs that true listening has become a rare commodity. There is something so generous and unselfish when one is focused on, really focused on another, in order to see with clarity what this person is not only saying with their words but also what it is they are trying to say from their heart. Word language and heart language can be oceans apart, and yet a gifted listener is able to bring the two together - uniting understanding with emotions.
A gifted listener is filled with generosity to give freely of himself. He has set time aside to simply be available for someone else. He also displays courage for he does not feel the need to talk and persuade the other of the greatness of himself, but rather understands the need to simply stand back and allow the other person to fully express themselves. One who desires to truly listen is filled with patience to allow the other to finish talking without unnecessary interruptions. It takes patience to genuinely listen and not be caught up with trivial worry about the many things that need to be accomplished.
A great listener is filled with kindness, mercy and acceptance. It does not matter what might fall on his ears for he understands the humanness of all of us. He understands that there is nothing new under the sun, and through his understanding and acceptance, he will win a loyal and trusted friend. Through his listening, he will discover in himself the other - expressing passionately what he could not. He will have understood even in greater depth what humanity longs for. To be understood, to be heard, and to be truly seen is a cry that spreads over all lands and all people, and not at all unique just to one.
Once a soul has opened their heart, it is a wise person to guard their story and to guard the other person. For should one carelessly spread this trust, as if throwing seed out to be trampled upon, it will only yield pain and bitterness, followed with many tears. Betrayal will break a heart - and perhaps only with genuine humility can it ever be healed again. Trust that is broken is one of the most damaging things that can be done to another human being. It is a heavy burden to bear on the shoulders of the one who has broken such deep trust. It is even a greater sorrow and a deeper wound to the one that was dealt this pain.
Being a great listener is a true honor. It is a responsibility and a privilege that cannot be taken lightly. It takes maturity and self-awareness to understand that all of us are traveling to find a meaningful and lasting path. It does one good when along the way, a trusting friend is found. Such a friend becomes a resting place to renew ones outlook and perspective on life.
I could really use someone to just listen to me. I love visiting your blog.
Comment by Visiting Viola — July 3, 2007 @ 5:04 am