LISTEN to understand (not to reply)

I thought it is easy. To master the art of listening is soooo tough! Actually, it is very difficult to listen to others always with understanding. Sometimes we think we fully understand what they are telling us. But I found out that sometimes:

• We hear a 'yes' but it means 'no', and hear a 'no' but often it means 'yes'. 
• People say 'it is ok' but really want to say 'It is terrible!'
• A person can speak a word softly while his mind shouts loudly.
• Words are not able to express some things we think and feel.
• Our lips speaks logically but our eyes speaks mysteriously.
• We understand people close to us even without words spoken.
• No matter how hard we try to listen, we still struggle to comprehend.
• It seems better not to understand and remain happy than to comprehend and become angry.
• Some words are better not be said, and sometimes talking is not necessary.
• When people just like to talk and do not like to listen, it really gets very unbalanced.
• Listening takes more and more practice, more and more patience, more and more understanding.

Nevertheless, the reward is satisfying so I will keep on trying to learn how to listen from the heart and not from the mind. Only this I know is the easiest way to practice listening with understanding.

Au Revoir!

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“The most basic of all human needs

 is the need to understand 

and be understood. 

The best way to understand people

 is to listen to them.” 

~by Ralph G. Nichols

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