Listening is that essential, that powerful, isn’t it?

And love takes listening to a whole other stratosphere!

Listening with love conveys that:

• you are welcome here.  All of you is welcome here.
• you’re brilliant… even your smudgy parts are brilliant.
• I care about you.
• I trust you…. and I trust me.
• there’s room for your answers to your questions to emerge naturally.

This quote from Brenda Uelan shines a light on how powerful and healing listening can be.

When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.

Ideas actually begin to grow within us and come to life.

Do you want to strengthen a relationship?  Whether, it’s your son, partner, or colleague, just lean in and convey, “I’m interested in you and want to understand.  Tell me more.” Listening does not mean that you agree with what’s being said, so there’s no need to make corrections or suggestions.  Because rapt attention connects us, listening is effective in person or on the phone.

But you know, listening, like love, begins within our self.  Creating space to listen to your heart’s wisdom becomes a central expression of self-love….and self-love is central to everything ~always.

Can you imagine listening to yourself with the interest and attention of a best friend or lover?

Imagine, listening to your inner voice with:

• a silence that becomes an invitation to share more.
• a genuine curiosity and openness.
• an awareness of your layers ~your outward personality, your fears, and your core self.
• commitment, devotion and time.

If you try this, don’t be deterred when gremlin or negative thoughts try to take center stage. Gremlin thoughts emerge when they are ready to be released. Allowing your negative thoughts room to surface is a fabulous way to say “thank you, and goodbye.”

As Cherie Huber writes:

If the voice is not speaking compassionately to you, it has nothing worthwhile to tell you.

Best of all, releasing your gremlins thoughts creates more room for the beliefs that align with self-compassion and your life’s vision.

Let me ask you, what daily practices allow you to listen to your heart?

Here are two experiments with listening.

1. Ask someone to simply listen to you while you sort through as issue.  Let them know that their time and attention is all that you want and need.  What’s it like to just be listened to?
2. Give your full attention to someone with whom you are struggling.  Put your needs, worries and opinions aside. Seek to understand their perspective fully by listening to them.  What’s it like just to listen?

What was the impact of each of these experiments on your relationship ~with yourself, and with the other person?

I’d love to hear about your experiences with listening!