Are you listening?

When I can listen, I can learn.

If I’m talking all I hear is stuff I already know.

When I listen I can hear… if I’m talking, I can only hear myself.

When I listen I can understand… if I’m always talking

I won’t understand the question.

I won’t hear the answer and I miss the underlying meaning of what you really said.

When I listen carefully… I don’t just listen with my ears.

I pay full attention with my eyes, my body and my mind.

When I really listen, I am not thinking about what I am going to say next!

When I really listen, it shows.  I am interested, I care, I accept,

I understand.  You have touched me.

If I am really listening, I will stop what I am doing.  Work, TV, reading

Otherwise it will mean you haven’t got my complete attention.

To respond intelligently, I must really listen.

How can I expect you to listen to me if I don’t listen to you?

Listen and you give a very special gift

The gift of your attention.

Rowena Szeszeran-McEvoy