I think that listening is one of those skills that is enhanced by our awareness of being truly present. There are so many stimuli competing for our attention and a number of factors that can affect how well we listen at any given time. I know that when I don’t get sufficient sleep, my ability to listen is affected. Sometimes, a certain chemistry with the person I’m communicating with can also affect how closely I listen. Other times, I can converse as though I can read the other person’s mind.

Haha Gordie, now that’s a pretty smart way to look at it. Thanks for sharing.

Before I say anything else, I am right on point with you about listening and its loads of benefits. It is counter-intuitive because we want to talk first and listen later, but then we realize that the other way around is more meaningful, and we don’t need to force our thoughts on others until they are fitting.

You hit on some great points here. I gladly read through this post. There is more going on than just the words in a conversation, as you have alluded to here, and responding to those elements, instead of the plain words, results in a way better conversation. People want you to grasp that more personal message behind their more socially acceptable word usage.

It takes a lot of understanding to write an article like this.

Good read.