I have made it a priority to listen more deeply to those who are in my life. Whether it is my children, clients, friends, strangers, or acquaintances, I know everyone has something to offer. We can deepen our relationship with others if we are willing to listen on a soul level. Some people are natural listeners, other people struggle with being a good listener. I believe that if you don’t have a natural gift to listen it is something that can be learned with practice.
Here are some lessons I have learned to become a better listener.
1. Listen to our Soul: When we tune into listening to our soul and the voice of our creator, we can learn to listen to others more deeply.Conflict can be caused by judgment of another’s behavior, not being heard or valued,and not feeling free to speak their true feelings.When someones is critical of themselves they are usually critical of others. When we learn to listen and understand ourselves we can create the safe space to listen to others.Finding value in who you are opens the opportunity to find value in what other’s have to share.
2.Look beyond Behavior: Understanding that human beings behave both consciously and unconsciously. Their behavior has nothing to do with us. They are acting out of their own free agency, whether it be positive or negative you can choose not to let it affect you.As a parent I have learned to look beyond my child’s behavior to fully understand their feelings.When I create a space for feelings to be shared freely the behavior changes in a positive way.The importance of being HEARD is transforming for the individual being heard and for the one listening. Becoming a good listener invites you to become a more loving compassionate human being.
3.Everyone has a Message: When you listen on a soul level with another human being to can learn truth from their experiences. Every soul has gained wisdom through their life experience. When we share that truth the listener and the one sharing can expand in wisdom. Truth expands when shared and received.
4. Be Present:Giving our undivided attention invites others to feel of our spirit and for us to feel theirs.This level of listening goes beyond words.
A personal experience I had last week reminded me how important it is to stop and listen to our loved ones.This experience is what inspired me to write to you today. I was sitting on my couch reading while my daughter Taylor and son Tristan were doing their homework. I had already planned the next day with projects I needed to get done for my coaching program, website, and networking. I was having problems with my website and needed to work on it to get it resolved so I could complete my other projects. I was looking forward to having time to work on it the next day.As I was sitting there my son said “Mom can you come get me for lunch tomorrow?” In that moment everything stopped for me. Tristan had never asked me this before. There was something in his voice that was longing. I felt something inside of me. I felt more than just words, instead I felt his spirit. I told him I would do what I can and mentioned what I needed to get done tomorrow. I am a person who enjoys giving someone I love surprises. I began figuring out how I could get what I needed done to fix my website. I found a company that could take care of everything I needed and they did it quicker than I would of. I decided to surprise Tristan at school the next day. I will never forget the smile on my son’s face when he came around the corner and I was standing in the hallway of his school. The joy of that moment is forever with me. We had a lunch at his favorite place and I quickly got him back to school as soon as I could. We didn’t say much during that quick lunch but MY PRESENCE said everything. My son thanked me four times that day and continued to come up and give me hugs throughout the evening. It was a heart warming experience that I wanted to share with you. My hope is that you will create heart warming memories in your life through listening to those you love.
Love and light,
Johnna Andrea Tuttle
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