Listening (actively, attentively and radically~ thanks, Cara!)
Unearthing the qualities that are required to live my best and highest self, bringing them to the forefront and sharing them, listening would not have been number two, but after Cara suggested it, I knew she was right. It needs to come sooner than later.
Honest and active listening involves being neutral and is a companion to being open-minded. Often I think I know what someone is going to say, so am I really listening, especially to what is not being said? Am I open and safe enough so that another person can say what they want to say even if it contradicts my beliefs? Are they anticipating a negative reaction? Do they have to couch their responses to me? Am I brave enough to listen to my deepest inner self? To the messages that come in listening to silence?
Can I listen as if I were watching a movie unfold~ attentive, curious, not taking anything personally? Not waiting for my turn to talk, because in the movie, you are only the observer. Is it possible to listen like that, and honor what the other person is saying, especially if you don’t agree?
Mark Nepo, author of 7000 Ways to Listen, says, “Whatever difficulty you face, there are time-tried ways you can listen your way through. Because listening is the doorway to everything that matters.” That is what is called for this year!
