Listen

I am not sure where the quote came from, but I like it: “Learn to listen. Listen to learn.” Many obstacles keep us from listening to others: noise, electronics, phones, games, distractions and interruptions from others, etc. When we are teaching kids, we work hard to get their attention before we start speaking. We say things like “Waterfall, waterfall,” and the kids respond, “Shhhhhhhhh.” They know they are to stop what they are doing and give us their attention when we say that.

Too bad we can’t do that with adults. LOL. The older we get the more we seem to be distracted. I watch the Principal and Assistant Principals at our school and wonder how in the world they ever get anything done?! They are constantly being pulled in different directions for some “emergency.”

I think we as adults need to learn this truth and teach it to the kids: Someone else may have an “emergency,” but that does not necessarily make it OUR emergency. There are times we have to turn off the phones, turn off the emails, turn off the walkies, and set our priorities. Sometimes we have to delegate the issue. Sometimes we need to seek counsel and collaborate for a resolution. Sometimes we have to say “No,” or at least, “Let me get back to you on that.” Sometimes we just need time to think!

Listening is a skill that we can all improve upon, but it will never improve till we learn to handle the endless distractions and interruptions that life throws at us. Another truth to remember is that everyone needs to feel that they are heard and understood. It is foundational to building healthy relationships. Give others the respect of being heard….whether or not you agree with them. That will defuse many of the ticking time bombs that might otherwise possibly explode on you or others in the area.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

danskognes.com