Do you still make time to LISTEN?

Every month I receive a quote written by Bond Zonder Naam, a Belgian Association that raises funds for the poor. I thought that in today's world of communication galore via Facebook, twitter, blogs, TV, radio etc. this month's is especially important for all of us. Guido Gezelle is a Flemish Priest and Poet who lived about 100 years ago.

Listening is the beginning of many kinds of beauty. Guido Gezelle wrote: "If he sould listens, it already speaks a language that lives". Even when nothing is said, in the silences there is lots to be heard of what doesn't find words. 'Becoming quiet' is an important condition of listening.

Whether it is with your children, your partner, your neighbors, your coworkers or whether it is about inter-generational, inter-religious or international conflicts, speaking without first real listening, is a source of many conflicts. Real listening wakes the therapist, that slumbers in all of us.

A rabbi said once: "When someone asks me for advise, I listen quietly and let hem speak until I hear how he pronounces his own answer."

Every person needs at certain times in his life needs to be able to speak with someone about what is going on within himself. But is there someone that can listen? Is there someone that lets you speak until finished, without judging immediately, without saying what you need to do? Is there somone who can be quiet? Is there someone who keeps to himself what you tel him, and doesn't carry it behind you?

Becoming quiet is an important condition of listening.

Real listening is an art that everyone is invited to 'master'. We shouldn't too easily delegate listening to expensive and rare professionals, because from listening you learn a lot.

Translated from Bond Zonder Naam, June 2009