Have you ever considered listening a gift to others? It is. My son has ADHD. He loves to talk about things I either don’t know a lot about or don’t capture my attention. Stay with me here. I’m not criticizing him, I promise.
He’s a mechanical genius. Seriously. He can diagnose small engine problems like a pro. So when he gets excited about his work and starts explaining all the flaws in the engine, which parts he needs to fix, and precisely how he will fix them, my mind starts to scramble a bit. Crankshaft? Camshaft? Huh? What’s the difference between those? Well, my son can tell you all about it.
I try really hard to listen. I don’t always understand him, but I try. And I ask questions so I know he knows I’m listening.
I think most people would rather talk than listen. But listening is an art form. I think a lot of loneliness could be alleviated by simply listening to someone.
Let them talk about themselves. Let them share their heart with you. Don’t simply wait for your turn to talk. Don’t interject comments. Just patiently listen. You can’t imagine what this means to my son. And I know there are lots of people who feel special when someone demonstrates respect and kindness by showing interest in their words.
Not all of us have the ability to spin a story that captivates our listeners. But that’s not important, really. It’s the heart behind the act of listening that counts.
Who can you listen to today? I mean really listen. And whenever possible, listen in person; not on the phone. Look for opportunities to show love to your friends, family, or even a stranger in need of a little patient attention. You never know—you could be their reason for carrying on another day.
Have a wonderful week. Blessings!