“People don’t listen, they just wait their turn to talk.”

I came across this quote and thought about how true it really was. More often than not, people are so caught up in what they want to say and their own opinions and thoughts that they are not actually listening to anything the other person is saying. Everything goes “in one ear and out the other.” They do not take time to really understand what the other person is saying or feeling.

“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.” — Roy T. Bennett

I think it is important to pay attention when others are speaking — giving them our undivided attention. This lets them know that we care and are being empathetic. Sometimes we have to set aside our own feelings and opinions and really connect with others. These people we are supposed to be listening to are talking to us for a reason and deserve to be treated with respect as they confide in us. You might even be surprised by the stories behind each person.