Listen!

It might seem trite but there is a lot to be said for the “art of listening”!

Here are some really helpful quotes:

When we listen, we hear someone into existence.
― Laurie Buchanan, author and speaker

One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.
— Bryant H. McGill, author and social entrepreneur

Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.
— Henri Nouwen, spiritual leader

Listening may not be the most exciting part of conversation, but it’s essential if you want to have a meaningful exchange with another person.
― Tania Israel, psychologist

An appreciative listener is always stimulating.
― Agatha Christie

It is hard to engage in listening to another person with empathy if you are waiting for the spotlight to shine back on you.
― Ramani Durvasula, psychologist

When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.
— Dalai Lama

Deep listening is the kind of listening that can help relieve the suffering of another person. You can call it compassionate listening. You listen with only one purpose: to help him or her to empty his heart.
— Thích Nhất Hạnh, Buddhist monk

To say that a person feels listened to means a lot more than just their ideas get heard. It’s a sign of respect. It makes people feel valued.
— Deborah Tannen, author

To learn through listening, practice it naively and actively. Naively means that you listen openly, ready to learn something, as opposed to listening defensively, ready to rebut. Listening actively means you acknowledge what you heard and act accordingly.
— Betsy Sanders, author

All narrative begins for me as listening. When I read, I listen. When I write, I listen — for silence, inflection, rhythm, rest.
— Toni Morrison

I realized I was more convincing to myself and to the people who were listening when I actually said what I thought, versus what I thought people wanted to hear me say.
— Ursula Burns, businesswoman

Turn off the radio, TV, DVD, iPod, computer and cell phone. Then, listen.
― Gina Greenlee, author

An effective leader is also an effective listener.
― Artika Tyner, author

When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand. Ideas actually begin to grow within us and come to life.
― Brenda Ueland, journalist

Listening is power, listening to yourself is a superpower!
― Sukant Ratnakar, author and businessman

One of the benchmarks of great communicators is their ability to listen not just to what’s being said, but to what’s not being said as well. They listen between the lines.
― Laurie Buchanan, author

Right to speak comes with a duty to listen.
― Amit Kalantri, author

During a conversation, listening is as powerful as loving.
― Amit Kalantri, author

There are times that all you need is someone who will listen to you without judging you — not telling you what you should have done or should do, but simply, listening to you.
― Bernard Kelvin Clive, author

Your Two Chums are especially taking note!

And, listen up! Today is Jackie’s granddaughter’s birthday – wishing her a very happy birthday!