I've met many people and I love to listen to their stories. I've come across those that say they listen, but do a LOT more talking than listening. Maybe even asking me a question to engage me in the conversation, but only after I say a few words, they jump in and start talking again. It becomes very clear to me that they are not interested in anything I have to say. Which is just fine, but makes me wonder if people really understand what it means to listen?

Below is some common sense tips on listening skills. But beyond that is to listen with more than what the person is saying out of the mouth. 'Listen' to the body movement. Listen and really pay attention to facial expressions and vocal tones. Where is the person speaking from? Those that speak from the heart or throat chakra tend to really draw me in. More than 70% of communication happens non verbally. So that means even though we may hear words coming from the speaker, what else do you pick up? This is where our intuition comes in. Listen to that.

Read between the words. Or should I say, FEEL between the words. You'll be amazed at what you pick up.

I've been a Certified licensed Sign Language Interpreter for 13 years and have come to consider myself a pro at body and non verbal language. Even though those that can hear and express themselves verbally, there is a LOT more communication happening non verbally. Try it.Just listen. You'll learn a heck of a lot more then if you're doing most of the talking.

Tips for being a good listener

 

1. Give your full attention on the person who is speaking. Don't look out the window or at what else is going on in the room.
2. Make sure your mind is focused, too. It can be easy to let your mind wander if you think you know what the person is going to say next, but you might be wrong! If you feel your mind wandering, change the position of your body and try to concentrate on the speaker's words.
3. Let the speaker finish before you begin to talk. Speakers appreciate having the chance to say everything they would like to say without being interrupted. When you interrupt, it looks like you aren't listening, even if you really are.
4. Let yourself finish listening before you begin to speak! You can't really listen if you are busy thinking about what you want say next.
5. Listen for main ideas. The main ideas are the most important points the speaker wants to get across. They may be mentioned at the start or end of a talk, and repeated a number of times. Pay special attention to statements that begin with phrases such as "My point is..." or "The thing to remember is..."
6. Ask questions. If you are not sure you understand what the speaker has said, just ask. It is a good idea to repeat in your own words what the speaker said so that you can be sure your understanding is correct. For example, you might say, "When you said that no two zebras are alike, did you mean that the stripes are different on each one?"
7. Give feedback. Sit up straight and look directly at the speaker. Now and then, nod to show that you understand. At appropriate points you may also smile, frown, laugh, or be silent. These are all ways to let the speaker know that you are really listening. Remember, you listen with your face as well as your ears!

Thinking fast

Remember: time is on your side! Thoughts move about four times as fast as speech. With practice, while you are listening you will also be able to think about what you are hearing, really understand it, and give feedback to the speaker.

I've been very busy getting everything together and ready for my very first Ask Your Angels Day Psychic Fair. Well yesterday started the bad dream. I have the day off and looked forward to getting some much needed rest. But for some reason my phone keeps ringing. No longer able to ignore it, I get up to find out that reporters are wanting to get my side of some controversy. What? What controversy? I haven't heard about anything.

I call the reporter and she starts asking me questions about my event on Saturday and if I've heard about the protesters. I was totally caught off guard. I told the reporter that I'm really caught off guard and that I have to think about what century we currently are in. She laughed, and basically told me that this publicity will be good for my event.

I arrive at the office and the secretary and president of the board of the community center, where I lease my office space and where I'll be holding my psychic fair, are waiting for me to arrive. I had a meeting with a woman named Jo that said that she had some very important information that I need to know before my psychic fair. The minister came into my office while I was with a client and left a note asking for a booth at my psychic fair. What? I started feeling nauseous and feeling overwhelmed.
I had meetings, phone calls, said some prayers and after all that happened yesterday, I just left it to the Universe to take care of.

Today I get the paper and there are 2 articles. One from the minister opposing my event and the other with the reporter with her words.

I am all for religious freedom. But this is a man that is instilling fear and almost to the point of a witch hunt. This feels so familiar to me. I KNOW I've been through this before. But this time I will come through stronger.

Please send healing energy, prayers and blessings my way during this event. I just find this so surreal. This is the 21st century??