We listen but do we really hear what another is saying? Listening is defined as: paying attention to; making an effort to hear. Take this definition a step further and put yourself in another person’s shoes. What would it feel like to experience what they are feeling? Instead of interrupting and trying to give your opinion, just listen. Listen with the sole purpose of trying to understand.

We can get so caught up in our day that we forget to take time to just listen. To prove this, the next time you are in a restaurant or at a coffee house, listen to two people having a conversation and notice how often they interrupt each other.

When we listen to someone else, when we put ourselves in their shoes, not only do we learn something about that person, we give them the gift of our attention. We learn something about them we didn’t know and we grow in our ability to be empathic.

Listening also shows respect. Try listening, without interrupting, the next time you have a conversation with someone. Practice it often. You’ll be glad you did.