Listen to someone else.

At the end of this week, I’ll be heading to Oregon for the Earth Joy Writing Book Tour! I’ll be blogging here daily to share insights, discoveries, and images. But in the meantime.

It’s Monday. Back to work. Back to shuttling kids back and forth to camp.

As we continue to reflect on mindful listening today, we take another step on the journey we began yesterday.

 

Step 2: Listen to someone else. You may have someone in your life you take for granted. Perhaps this is an acquaintance or a neighbor that you are friendly with but have never really listened to before. Perhaps it is a complete stranger who catches your eye in the subway or a coffee shop. Perhaps it is a dear friend or family member that you haven’t contacted in a while.

Decide that for ten minutes, you will listen.  Really listen.  


Try to hear the song underneath the song that they are singing. 

What are the feelings behind the words that they are saying? 

How can you listen in a way that lets this person know s/he is being heard?

How can your listening be a gift that enables this person to sing a deeper, more meaningful song?

 

After listening, turn to your journal to reflect on the experience. What did your companion say? How did you listen in a new way? Were you quiet or did you respond? What came out that was enabled by your mindful listening?

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I’d love to hear how you are listening more deeply today. Leave a comment below and let me know how Earth Joy Writing is helping you understand the importance of listening to others in your own life.