Scribblings
An Ongoing Meander of Stuff that Crosses my Path, Moves my Spirit, Intrigues my Head, or Keeps me Awake at Night.
|
June 29th, 2010:
The Rewards of Really Listening
|
Another significant aspect of this same close friendship I was writing about a few weeks back that I REALLY love is the willingness we each have to take risks in each other''s company. This can take a few forms - most often these show up as the risk to be ourselves, or the risk to tell a difficult truth.
In our friendship we''ve created an ongoing experience of feeling heard and respected by each other, so we know we''re safe to tell the big stuff that shows up in each of our lives from time to time. This is an exploration that''s both exciting and rewarding. I always leave with a boost of energy and I end up having a blast no matter what I do for the rest of that day.
You''ll find that these are the relationships that are priceless in their mutual value! This is where the rubber meets the road, where you are fortunate to have the gift of their really listening to you without any judgement, where you are free to hear your own voice. It''s amazing, when given the space to be heard, how often we will learn something valuable about ourselves, simply from hearing our own voice talk about a thing. I''ve so often had clients say "you know, now that I hear myself say that, I realize I know exactly how I can create this, learn this, do this, accomplish this, etc, etc"!
I think the power and accuracy of our innate wisdom shines most brightly when we listen generously, and surround ourselves with people we trust to listen that way too. This is different from our typically learned ways of listening, so it''s not about "fixing"! It''s not even about understanding, or agreeing. This is ONLY about listening.
If this sounds way simple, it is! We just need practice with it, is all. Some of the foundation skills I teach clients along the way are the art of listening, learning how to be heard, telling the real truth, and reaping the rewards that come as a result of learning how to be their most authentic selves.
Once you''ve had some experience with this way of hearing and listening, you''ll find it enhances all your close and all your ongoing relationships (like at work). You will enjoy them far more, have more fun, be closer, if that''s what you want, and IT''S SO VERY MUCH EASIER!
|
| |
|
