Take Time to Listen

Sometimes all someone needs is to be listened to.

Earlier this week I had an opportunity to practice compassionate listening with a woman who was incredibly angry about something that happened to her. She was obviously distraught and felt that everyone in her vicinity should know about it. As someone in a position of authority, it was my responsibility to hear her out, which I did with as much compassion as I could, despite her overly dramatic attitude and intense anger being directed toward the person she felt had wronged her. I let her vent for a little while and did what I could to help ease her mind. Alas, less than an hour later she telephoned and continued to rant for about 10 more minutes, during which I continued to listen and let her speak her mind. I replied with kindness and empathy which she responded to by becoming softer spoken. Suddenly, she apologized for carrying on like that and thanked me for being calm during this situation and for hearing her out, especially since she knew I was busy.

With all that’s going on these days, people are getting more easily riled up and resorting to behaviors that are not as constructive as they could be. In any situation we can choose to either lift someone up or drag them down. By practicing kindness and treating others with respect, and by taking the time to listen with compassion and not allow ourselves to get so emotionally charged that we veer into destructive mode, then we have a better chance of making a positive connection with those we interact with.

…One person who is truly understanding, who takes the trouble to listen to us as we consider a problem, can change our whole outlook on the world.

E. H Mayoli