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The Art of Listening
When I was working as an acupuncturist, the most important thing I did was not, I think, putting needles into people. It was to listen: with my head and my heart.
I did not find it easy. My default position (I am on the autistic spectrum) is to overshare and want to advise.
I had to keep a poem taped to the wall. I had to read it every day.
It is worth sharing.
Listening
You are NOT listening to me when…
You do not care about me
You say you understand before you know me well enough
You have an answer for my problem before I’ve finished telling you what my problem is
You cut me off before I’ve finished speaking
You find me boring and don’t tell me
You feel critical of my grammar, vocabulary or accent
You are dying to tell me something
You tell me about your experience making mine seem unimportant
You are communicating with someone else in the room
You refuse my thanks by saying you haven’t really done anything
You ARE listening to me when…
You come quietly into my world and allow me to be me
You really try to understand me even…
