Encouragement

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There is an old story from the First World War about one of the officers who issued an order to his troops in the trenches. The first soldier was instructed to pass down the line the message “Get your rifle, we are going to advance tonight.” However, by the time the message reached the last man it had been distorted to “Get your wife, we are going to a dance tonight!” A classic example of not listening with due care and attention, and if that had been a true story the consequences would have been disastrous to say the least.

The fact is that many of us are so used to speaking with others throughout the course of the day, and so eager to get our opinions heard that we tend to forget that there is an art in active and constructive listening.

But this is no modern phenomenon for Zeto of Citium, an ancient Greek philosopher, once said that the reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may listen the more and talk the less.

Sometimes it will be our task to listen to someone who has a problem, or who is in poor health, or who is in need of our advice. Or maybe someone who is alone or housebound and who would relish the chance to voice their needs.

All they want probably is to express the turmoil, or the fear or pain that fills their heart, to share that burden with some sympathetic soul. At these times we should listen carefully, to show them that we truly care for them in their time of anguish.

Everyone appreciates a good listener, especially if we are patient with others and show them that we are genuinely interested in them and what they have to say. Most of all it will make them feel accepted and valued, and they will be happy in the knowledge that there is someone out there who will listen, and who cares.

The greatest compliment we can pay someone is to show them that we are eagerly listening to what they are telling us. And if we encourage them to talk about themselves, their family, and their aches and pains we will be their friend for life.

It is never too late to bring the awesome power of quietness and the skills of listening into our lives, and if we do this it will surely enrich and deepen our awareness of just how interesting other people can be.

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