Lend Me Your Ears

I've been thinking a lot lately about LISTENING. I don't think I do nearly enough of it. I was watching an Oprah episode the other day, where they had a very honest matchmaker telling this poor group of single women what they were doing wrong when it comes to dating and relationships. One woman was deemed a "one-upper". She would ask her date a question, and then one-up him after he responded; making him feel belittled and deflated.

Oprah said: "I've learned that listening is the common denominator in the human experience. You become the star when you learn how to listen, because listening validates the other person."

Then a few days later I was watching all of the coverage on President Hinckley and listened to President Eyring's talk during his funeral. He spoke about President Hinckley's voice and how he will miss it. He said, "I have heard that voice so many times, when a difficult problem facing the church was brought to him. He would listen carefully, perhaps asking a question or two, to be sure that he understood the difficulty or magnitude facing us. And that those who brought the problem to him knew that he understood..."

So often during the day I have a literal grocery list of things I want to tell JB when he comes home. I have them stored in my head and I sometimes have to fight the urge to "fire at will" once he comes in the door. He's had a hard day at work and his "work" is often just beginning when he comes home with church meetings and spending time w/ the kids, who are only awake for a few more hours. I want to do a better job being a good listening ear and asking questions that will help others feel the love I have for them, because I care enough about them to listen.

Thanks for listening! :)