These three things make me a better listener.
1. Weekly scheduled times of silence and solitude. Lately I have found that if I don’t get this, I get all out of whack and take it out on my family. Serious bad deal all the way around. Willard and other theologians have said this is one of the most important spiritual disciplines for western Christians because of the frantic pace of our lifestyle. In my humble opinion I tend to agree.
2. Daily scheduled time to work on me. Whether it is working out, reading or painting, if I don’t get this I start getting resentful. This is not a good deal ether. Charlotte Mason called this “Mother Culture”. How can a mom stay balanced and offer her best to her family when she is strung out and never gets ant time just for her?
3. Discipline to think of what the other person is saying and not what I want to say. The first two disciplines help me to relax and “center down” as the Quakers used to say. This allows me to actually get “outside” myself when I am with other people. Have you ever thought about how many times you interrupt someone when they are talking before they are through. (Think of the little people in your home too!)
Make a choice today, to be right where you are and not three steps ahead. Let people finish their own sentences and don’t think of how you will answer them before they are through speaking. Go “pencil in” some time just for you to work on you and then practice being still and silent. You will be amazed at what you might hear!
This piece is inspired by Mommy Zabs group writing project.
For the linky love here are the other entries for your reading pleasure:-)
What a GREAT list!
I love #3, it is so true, i have had to wok on this myself!
Comment by Mommy Zabs — September 20, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
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Wow - I really need to work on my listening skills. Thanks for sharing these - you hit a chord with me on each one…thanks for the inspiration!
Anne Marie
Comment by Anne Weakley — September 21, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
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