21 Ways to Stay in Peace # 9

[Guest guest]

#9 Literal Hearing

Practice listening to others in the most literal sense, believing exactly

what they say, and do you best to resist falling into your own

interpretations about the information they share with you.

For example, someone might compliment you on how beautiful you are, and you

interpret that as an implication that the other person has ulterior motives.

Our interpretations of what we hear people say to us are often far more

painful or frightening than what people actually say. We can hurt ourselves

with our misconceptions and our thinking for others. Try trusting that what

they say is exactly what they mean: not more, not less. Hear people out.

Catch yourself when you want to finish a sentence for someone either aloud or

in your mind. Listen. It can be amazing to hear what comes out when we allow

others to complete their thoughts without interruption. And, when we're busy

thinking we know what they are about to say, we're missing what they are

actually saying.

You might want to consider these questions: " What can be threatened if I

listen and hear literally? Do I interrupt because I don't want to really know

what they have to say? Do I interrupt to convince them I know more than they

do? Am I attempting to portray an image of self-confidence and control? Who

would I be without the need to possess those qualities? Is there a fear of

appearing unintelligent? Would people leave me if I heard them literally, and

no longer engage in manipulative games? "

From: Byron ; Compiled by: Lynn Hendrix