Email: Don’t understand my sister. We’re different. What can I do? (AUS)
Listening isn’t about opening our ear to sounds. It’s paying attention to tone of voice, body language, facial expressions, empathetic and compassionate attitude.
It’s honestly looking past the words, considering what someone actually means, not just what they’re saying or not.
Will it be challenging to listen? You bet. But, we need to be loving and balanced about perspectives, styles or ideas with the same courteousness, as we would expect.
If we want people to listen to us, we must really listen to them. It’s tempting to assume we know what someone’s going to say or take a stand, even before words have been spoken. If unclear or unsure, humbly ask her to clarify or explain.
Listening isn’t just about opening our ears — it’s about opening our mind, as well.
The first duty of love, is to listen.
Still learning how to do it better!
