The Gift of Listening

Perhaps one of the greatest ways any one person can serve another is to patiently listen to them. Everyone wants to be heard, there are no exceptions. Each one of us desires validation of our feelings, thoughts and concerns. The act of listening makes room, gives space and a place for another’s point of view. The moment of listening gives birth and existence to someone else’s self-expression; it is validation of the self.

To take the time and energy to give someone your complete attention so that you may receive their message clearly and understand their intent, is indeed a generous gesture and is not accomplished without concentrated effort on behalf of the listener. The listener may benefit as well but the act of listening to another-fully present, undistracted and unassuming is a gift to the speaker. It states explicitly and undeniably that the speaker’s words and thoughts matter…that the speaker matters.

Listening does not require endorsement of ideas or agreement of opinion. It does not require further action or problem-solving or answers to hard questions. It doesn’t actually require answers at all. Listening is, in and of itself, an answer to the question; Do you value me enough to honor my self-expression, pay attention to my message and simply receive my words attentively and without judgement?