At the beginning of a new week, to expand on what I was sharing in today’s Top Tips. I’d like to reflect on the wisdom of embracing openness and the art of listening. I know we all like being right and certain; at the same time, wisdom often lies in our willingness to be curious, and through curiosity learn and change.
Embracing Curiosity and Openness
Curiosity Over Certainty: In our fast-paced lives, it's easy to rush to conclusions. But what if we paused, embraced uncertainty, and allowed ourselves to see the world from different perspectives? This openness can lead to profound personal growth and deeper connections with others and their perspectives, rather than just our own.
Listening as a Superpower: Listening is more than just hearing words; it's about understanding and valuing the experiences and feelings of others. Whether in conversations with friends, family, or even in professional settings, active listening can transform our interactions and relationships.
Practical Tips to Cultivate Openness and Listening
Slow Down: Rushing through conversations can lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities for connection. Give yourself the time to truly absorb and reflect on what others are saying. Take a breath between what someone is saying and your response to them.
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage deeper dialogue by asking questions that require more than yes or no answers. Questions like "What do you think about this?" or "How did that make you feel?" can open up meaningful conversations. Really try to understand what it’s like to be the person you’re listening to.
Practice Mindfulness: Being present in the moment helps you fully engage with the person you are listening to. Mindfulness can enhance your ability to understand and empathise with others. There are many different mindfulness practices, just like there are many different workout routines for you to increase your physical fitness. Mindfulness doesn’t come instantly, but through extensive practice.
Reflect Before Responding: Take a moment to process what you've heard before jumping in with your response. Where do you feel it in your body? Are you breathing faster than usual? Check in with yourself. This shows respect for the speaker and allows you to provide a more thoughtful reply.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on embracing curiosity and the art of listening. How do you practice being open and receptive in your daily life? When do you find it difficult to be open? Share your experiences and insights with us, and let's learn from each other.
Love,
Julia x
In an ordinary domestic situation,I do a great deal of listening,especially first thing in the morning…I have to create little spaces in the day to rest my mind,or find a practical task to help me do the same.
If the listening involves a lot of technical concerns,I can zone out and wonder if I can find ways of making this information more appealing to myself so that I do not go blank!
The comment on open ended questions resonated particularly with me and although this is slightly different, I used to use open ended questions when teaching literature both to younger children and young teenagers as a way of helping them to articulate some of their feelings, thoughts etc. If we were looking at behavior, motivation and so forth in fictitious literary characters my students could enter into a conversation about a character and at the same time explore and consider their own thoughts, perhaps with greater freedom as they were talking about someone else and the focus wasn’t directly on them.