The Lost Art of Listening
When was the last time you truly listened to the person talking with you without thinking about where you’d rather be or what you’re next comment would be? Our society does not teach listening skills. We are bombarded by technology and all of its instant communication. In our haste to find out more information, we don’t take the time to really listen to each other. Listening takes patience and in our fast-paced world, we don’t take the time to really listen. It requires being quiet and focusing on the other person – really focusing on what they have to say. No one seems to have the time to stop and listen. We text. We tweet. We post on Facebook. Many people don’t even talk on the phone anymore. All communication is done electronically. What has happened to one-on-one meetings or group discussions?
Listening can go a long way in clearing up misunderstandings, helping you being truly understood, and patching up family relationships. Mediation gives all parties involved an opportunity to really listen to each other and understand in a way that a courtroom cannot. It can teach the parties the lost art of listening. If you’re experiencing conflict in your family, relationships, or at your workplace, consider mediation as a way to really listen to each other and understand.
