The power of listening

When we put on the TV or tune in to the radio, we will hear endless talking. Incredible, 
what people have to say and the kinds of stories they tell. Look around you, people talk 
so much, they have so much to say. Most of the time, what they talk about is not relevant
for our life. Namely, how bad their day has been, their headache or about the weather 
and the boss, who was terrible that day. Constantly, never ending stories are being told, 
day after day. We go on watching politics, where you hear so many words, but you will 
rarely experience any of what they  are talking about. Talking, so much talking and so 
little you can learn from it. Endless talking in schools where you must listen and accept. 
Because, what the teacher tells you should be the truth! Well now, I have never heard so 
many lies before, as in my time at school. The world is full of words; people no longer 
know what to listen to. Besides that, what is true and what is false? Words, endless 
words in so many languages.

Strangely, there are people who talk the whole day, giving conferences and practicing 
politics.  Some people are occupying the top jobs in a company, talking while saying
hardly anything! No, the talking they do is only what they want to say and how they see 
everything. However, there is something those people forget, as many others do too: 
to LISTEN!

Listening is one of the most important qualities in communication! Watch yourself: 
The whole day you are talking to your family, friends, at work. How much time do you 
spend listening? Listening is a real problem, just listen to what people really have to 
say. We rush to take over the talking and leave the people with their stories, for they 
don't get enough chance to say anything. We are so focused on telling our stories or 
opinions, that we forget to let others tell their stories.

I have learned a lot from my grandfather, who had come very far in life. He experienced 
a lot about life and knew what was going on. When I was five years old, he told me the
following: "Listen to what other people have to say, just listen, be quiet and don' talk. 
Let them speak about their problems and the solution will come by itself. Talk only if 
you really know what you are talking about and hold your tongue if you don't know anything 
about the subject".

Yes, with this small sentence I learnt a lesson for the rest of my life. He was right, just by 
listening to others problems will be solved, questions will be answered. You only need to 
say a few words to these people, because they have already answered their questions 
themselves. Do not do the talking; listening is also the way to let others see your strength. 
There is no need to say that you are in the top of your company, or that you are good at this 
or that. It is not important at all and besides, if you are so good why do you have to talk 
about it? Talking about what you are doing is like showing the shortcomings in your 
own life. It comes mostly from your ego. If you were really so good, people would know
it already!

Doing all the talking, is showing how much you have to learn. Just listen and make a small 
comment at the right moment, or make a remark and ask a question, so others may realize 
what they are doing. This is wise and leads you to a road with more positive energy.

Listening to a child is like listening to a new life, which is exploring the world, while looking 
at the world objectively. Listening to an old person, who tells you his life story, is like a 
learning process to him. You may take your lesson out of such a conversation. Listen to 
older people and you will hear your own story and future. When you are standing in the
middle of life and willing to teach, you should tell your story, so young people may listen. 
Before you start to tell your story, you should listen first. By the way, when you are so old 
and wise, you are already listening, because you will get wise by listening.

We should not listen only to spoken words, but also to the sounds in nature around us. 
What about the sound of absolute silence? Yes, also these sounds and these silences 
have their stories to tell. Their stories are parts that we should learn about and accept, 
because underneath it is the key to a true life. A life with all the knowledge and all we 
can find around us in Mother Nature, which is peaceful and full of energy. By telling just 
our own stories instead of listening it will be harder to get the energy we need in order to 
proceed. To be silent and just listen is a possibility to get positive energy in you. Listen, 
and while you are listening, just receive. By listening to others, you are also helping them 
to explore their path in life. Please do it, next time just listen and let others do the talking.

Ssssssssssssssst listen.

(BR070143)