"Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. When we
really listen to people there is an alternating current, and this
recharges us so that we never get tired of each other. We are
constantly being re-created." - Brenda Ueland
If Ueland is right (I believe she is), consider the possibility that the practice of "really listening" can animate and renew not only your relationship to other people, but also your relationship to:
- your intuition
- your passions
- your craft
How do you know when you're "really listening"? I'd like to hear your thoughts.
I know I am really listening when I participate in a conversation, and I talk in snippets, not goblets, waiting to hear a response (especially my favourite response: the silence of concentrated listening).
Posted by: Louise Knowles | March 09, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Hi Kim,
I'm not surprised you and Brenda Ueland are well-acquainted! She's long been a favorite of mine.
write well,
Coach Marla
Posted by: Marla | January 26, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Anneliese,
I can really relate to your comment. Real listening is about slowing down to the present moment...a form of mindfulness practice, I think.
look forward to seeing you around here on The Relaxed Writer!
-Coach Marla
Posted by: Marla | January 26, 2009 at 01:01 PM
I know I'm listening when I'm not thinking about something else while someone is talking, and I'm not framing my next question or response to what someone is saying.
Posted by: anneliese | January 19, 2009 at 05:34 PM
Thanks for posting wisdom from Brenda Ueland! She's awesome. I commit to deeper listening today...
Posted by: kim | January 05, 2009 at 10:28 AM