| Talking is my drug of choice. Wanna chat? I always | | | | good. |
| do. I can talk folks into complete submission and | | | | When you are totally in the moment and being an |
| numbness on a good day (which is most days). I'm a | | | | attentive and caring listener, you are giving one of |
| notorious over-sharing TMI sort of person. And, | | | | the greatest gifts you can give: patience, |
| when I go over the edge, it's not really | | | | understanding and compassion. Even if what you're |
| communication, it's blasting away with a bullhorn. | | | | hearing troubles you, the fact that you are accepting |
| That's all well and good, but it means I have to | | | | the speaker's thoughts means you are giving them |
| become an adroit listener too. That's the hardest part | | | | value, both what is being said and the speaker |
| of communication: being a good listener. Some days I | | | | himself. Everybody likes that. |
| am better at it than others. But, it's an ongoing | | | | In this golden age of Internet word-spewing, we |
| challenge that I am fully aware of. The tough part is | | | | often get to do what I'm engaging in this very |
| putting it into action by shutting up long enough to | | | | second: a completely one-sided conversation. I can't |
| give the listener a chance to respond, no matter how | | | | listen to you when I'm writing. But, what are you |
| long it takes. | | | | gonna do? However, I think it makes us all lousier |
| Actually, being a good listener takes the pressure off. | | | | listeners because we're just putting forth our opinions |
| You don't always have to be thinking ahead about | | | | and ideas with no feedback. |
| what you feel compelled to say. That just makes | | | | Be that as it may, if you are a willing participant in |
| you not hear what the other person is saying. One | | | | real 2-way conversation, and you realize that listening |
| of the most empowering actions anyone can take is | | | | is as important as talking, then you have it up on |
| to hear another person out. Let them have their | | | | many other folks. |
| complete say and they will respect and enjoy | | | | I just try to be aware that when I'm conversing with |
| discussing anything with you. | | | | my wife, a friend, a work colleague, and especially |
| I you are all ears, they will be much more likely to | | | | with the psychiatric patients I work with, that if you |
| share their thoughts with you. But, when you deny | | | | are willing to give in to your full-on desire to express |
| them that courtesy and pleasure, you're likely to get | | | | yourself, and really lend a sympathetic ear, then |
| tuned out if you don't reciprocate. In other words, let | | | | when you get your shot, it will have that much more |
| your listener get many words in edgewise. Yes, even | | | | credibility. |
| I have been a victim of somebody else's | | | | Thanks for listening. |
| over-sharing. We all know how that feels, and it ain't | | | | |
