Shut Up and Listen: A Lost Art

In forty-two years of living, I have never met a person who said to me: “I am a bad listener.”  Most of us assume we are good listeners; most assume that listening is a passive activity that comes naturally. I argue that listening is both a talent and a gift we can give to the world. For as much as each of us wants to be heard, we are surrounded by others who are desperate to have their voices heard, as well. And in that moment of active listening, we can both give the gift of ourselves and receive wisdom we might have otherwise missed.

Service Summary:

Listening is both a talent and a gift we can give to the world. For as much as each of us wants to be heard, we are surrounded by others who are desperate to have their voices heard, as well. And in that moment of active listening, we can both give the gift of ourselves and receive wisdom we might have otherwise missed.

Rev. Dalton shared her experience of hearing her family’s stories while sitting quietly til the adults forgot she was listening. We were also reminded that, although “How are you?” is pretty much a question to which we do not expect a detailed response, sometimes people really need to tell you how they are.  If we look for a real response, we begin to learn other’s stories, and that is a good thing.  Thank you, Rev. Dalton.

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