Art of Listening

We are always in a rush. It seems that we always have too little time to complete all the tasks in our daily lives. Therefore, we attempt to accomplish each task in the shortest time possible so that we can utilize our time in the best way that we can.

As a result of our hurried lifestyle, we always hear but seldom listen. We just cannot afford to waste our time to listen to what others have to say unless the information provided is useful to us. Therefore, if we come across someone who desires to share his or her life story and struggles, we would tend to shun away from that person or try to find ways to stop that person from telling his or her story. We would rather spend those precious moments attending to our own needs and struggles.

Yet, perhaps what lie beneath these stories and struggles are hidden treasures that may prove valuable to us. Without the stories of others, we are only confined to our own limited experiences. Yet, by listening to the stories and struggles of others, we are confronted by experiences of others that we may never have an opportunity to experience them personally. As a result, our understanding of humanity (ourselves and others) can be greatly enriched and deepened.

Furthermore, the art of listening also challenges our love and patience towards others. How does it feel when someone intrudes into our busy life, disrupting our daily schedule by demanding our time and attention to listen to his or her life story? It is at this very moment of inconvenience that our love and patience towards others is being challenged and refined. It is at this moment that we come to realize that the act of listening is an act of love.

Whoever said that when we sacrifice our time to listen to the stories and struggles of others, we are doing them a favour? It seems to me that it benefits the listener more than the storyteller.

Let us rediscover the dying art of listening, shall we?