Listening Equals Caring

This subject came up a couple of times this weekend with different family members, so I thought it might be worth a mention. 

Has someone ever asked you a question, simple as it might have been, and then didn't really listen to your answer?   You could see in their eyes that they were not listening to you -- that they didn't care about what you were saying.  They were probably calculating what they were going to say as soon as you stopped talking.  Because, as we all know, what they have to say is so so much more interesting and important than what we have to say.    Or maybe someone asked you a question that was designed, maybe subconsciously (maybe not), to lead the conversation back to themselves?  

After thinking about it, I could think of a bunch of people that I know who are like that.   Feigning interest in your life, they cozy on up, all sweet like, ready to pounce and start talking about themselves.  If the conversation were really back-and-forth, with real interest on both sides about what the other was saying, that would be a different story.  I would glady sit and listen as so-and-so regaled me with stories about their trip to Mexico and so-and-so bragged about their children and their amazingness.  And I would be interested.  But it should go both ways.   The truth is, however, most people are very self-absorbed and don't care much what you've been up to and how you are feeling.   Most people have never learned to listen.  Most people don't realize that listening means loving and caring.  Or they do realize that, but they only love and care about themselves.  Listening is something we can all do.   Really listen.  Listening doesn't cost anything, except maybe an investment of time.  And a whole lot of sincerity.   

And on the other hand, we all need to be listened to once in a while . . . really listened to.   So, if you have a friend, or spouse, or whomever, who knows how to listen - - make sure you tell them how much you appreciate their gift.   

This topic sounded really familiar so I did some checking - - I wrote about this same thing back in October.   Guess it must still be bothering me :)   And maybe I need someone to listen to me - lol.