Good morning! How are you doing with your goals/plans for Lent? Have you managed to hold fast to the things you thought were worth striving for?
I’m running okay, but not great. It is hard to be on vacation and meet goals that don’t really pertain here. My goal was to react to specific people with kindness in spite of the feelings/reactions they elicit within me. The problem is that those particular people are not here in Florida. (insert chuckle)
But, that being said, I am spending all of my quiet time thinking about how I can keep being better. I am striving for the best me this year. I don’t want to allow my vacation to be an excuse not to improve.
I came across an amazing article today that might help you on your journey…
One of the behaviors that challenges me in general is being faced with people who listen to respond instead of actually listening. In my grad school classes to be a therapist, we spend a lot of time learning and practicing that skill. It really is a skill and it is not something that comes naturally to us.
What I can assure you, however, is that this skill is incredibly valuable if you are trying to build better relationships with people. I promise you.
Here is my challenge to you (and I promise I will also take up this challenge): The next time you are talking… to a friend, a co-worker, a sibling or parent… and they are talking, do not prepare a response. Just listen. Watch their eyes, body language, and listen. You can smile and nod, but don’t say anything. When they are done, allow a few moments of quiet to pass while you process what you’ve heard.
Whether you then reply or not is up to you. Just know you have given a gift to that person. It is a powerful gift, and it will be come easier the more often you practice it.
