Knowing How to Listen

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. (Proverbs 17:27 NLT)

Good listening takes effort. Notice the traits of the people whom you enjoy talking to, the good listeners. They show their interest with their eyes, posture, and the ways they react. It’s a sort of indescribable mood that says, “I enjoy listening to you. You’re important to me.” A calmness and patience about them tell you, “Take your time. I have nothing more vital to do at the moment than to hear what you have to say.” 

Listening is one way to better fulfil the “law of Christ,” which the Bible sums up as “loving your neighbour as yourself.” By listening to others in order to understand them, we are doing God’s work with a form of God’s love.—Author unknown

My first rule of conversation is this: I never learn a thing while I’m talking. I realize every morning that nothing I say today will teach me anything, so if I’m going to learn a lot today, I’ll have to do it by listening.

Remember the signs you see at railroad crossings in small towns and rural areas: “Stop-Look-Listen.” Show the people you talk to that you’re interested in what they’re saying. They will show you the same.—Larry King with Bill Gilbert

[1] “Listening for Growth.” Anchor, March 3, 2015.