Are you listening, or are you just waiting to talk?
When asked this question, I indignantly answer the former. Of course, I'm not just waiting to talk! I don't even like talking that much.
Are you listening or are you thinking about what you're going to say next?
But when the question is reframed, I have to admit that mild social anxiety, and perhaps the fact that I don't really like to talk, make me lean to the latter. Sometimes? I am preoccupied thinking about what I should say to contribute to the conversation, and I miss part of it. Other times, I have to confess I'm thinking about what I can say to get out of the conversation.
That's not very nice.
Why take on just one challenge when you can tackle two? This month, I'm using the Action for Happiness Mindful March calendar as a daily prompt for living and writing.
That's a hard one for me, too. Sometimes when I really listen, my answers and comments are better. I'm sure you're always really listening to me when I talk.
ReplyDeleteQuestions we should all ask ourselves. I hear you, and I can relate.
ReplyDeleteI can SO relate. Listening deeply has been my New Year's resolution more than a few times.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to think about how we answer questions differently, depending on how they're framed. I appreciated your honesty in how you would think about each version of the question!
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