God said:
In terms of the world, there are at least two parties who communicate. One is called the speaker, and the other is called the listener. True conversation is a beautiful tango. One leads, one follows. They both lead. They both follow. The listener really listens, doesn't interrupt, listens deeply until it’s his turn. Then there is role-reversal. Good speaker becomes good listener. There is no infringing. Each role is priceless.
It is hard for some people to express what they really want to express. For others, it is easier to speak than to listen. Speaker and listener are both essential. Without speaking and listening, where can communion lie?
If you are the listener at a particular moment, you may just be waiting for your turn to talk. Waiting eagerly to speak your heart isn't listening. It is counting the seconds until it is your turn.
For the want of listening, friendships have been given up.
One or the other, or both parties, shrug their shoulders and think: "He doesn't give a hoot. Why should I care?"
Friendships are broken. Wars start. All from an inability to listen. Sides are taken. There becomes a need not to listen as if listening were weakness.
Listening is a great skill. It is necessary for survival.
Goodness knows, you don't want someone to butter you up, nor do you want to pretend any more than you want to be pretended to. You want to understand, and you want to be understood. How important it is to be heard, and how important it is to hear.
