Advice #21

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   There is a highly needed communication skill in every home that doesn’t require you to say one word.  This skill does unseen work in building self-esteem and creating appreciation.  It’s listening!

   Think about it…we all appreciate the respect others show us when they listen to what we have to say without cutting us off.  But here’s the catcher – we don’t all listen with skill.  Got your attention?  Then let me define for you the skill of pure listening.

   Listening means that when someone is talking to you, you are not thinking about what you are going to say when they stop talking.

   Listening is completely accepting what is being said without judging what was said, or how it was said.

   Listening is being able to repeat back to your spouse what they said and what they were feeling.

  Still think you’re a good listener?  Then the next time you get into an argument and you interrupt them, think of this article and the definitions and ask them to check you on your listening skills.  If you can repeat back without error what they were trying to say, then you were listening.  But chances are that if you interrupted them in the first place, then you were not listening.

   Since many of our spats get started because we misunderstood them, then learning to listen will go a long ways…and you will be building them up also!

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   There is a highly needed communication skill in every home that doesn’t require you to say one word.  This skill does unseen work in building self-esteem and creating appreciation.  It’s listening!

   Think about it…we all appreciate the respect others show us when they listen to what we have to say without cutting us off.  But here’s the catcher – we don’t all listen with skill.  Got your attention?  Then let me define for you the skill of pure listening.

   Listening means that when someone is talking to you, you are not thinking about what you are going to say when they stop talking.

   Listening is completely accepting what is being said without judging what was said, or how it was said.

   Listening is being able to repeat back to your spouse what they said and what they were feeling.

  Still think you’re a good listener?  Then the next time you get into an argument and you interrupt them, think of this article and the definitions and ask them to check you on your listening skills.  If you can repeat back without error what they were trying to say, then you were listening.  But chances are that if you interrupted them in the first place, then you were not listening.

   Since many of our spats get started because we misunderstood them, then learning to listen will go a long ways…and you will be building them up also!

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   There is a highly needed communication skill in every home that doesn’t require you to say one word.  This skill does unseen work in building self-esteem and creating appreciation.  It’s listening!

   Think about it…we all appreciate the respect others show us when they listen to what we have to say without cutting us off.  But here’s the catcher – we don’t all listen with skill.  Got your attention?  Then let me define for you the skill of pure listening.

   Listening means that when someone is talking to you, you are not thinking about what you are going to say when they stop talking.

   Listening is completely accepting what is being said without judging what was said, or how it was said.

   Listening is being able to repeat back to your spouse what they said and what they were feeling.

  Still think you’re a good listener?  Then the next time you get into an argument and you interrupt them, think of this article and the definitions and ask them to check you on your listening skills.  If you can repeat back without error what they were trying to say, then you were listening.  But chances are that if you interrupted them in the first place, then you were not listening.

   Since many of our spats get started because we misunderstood them, then learning to listen will go a long ways…and you will be building them up also!

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry