Today I’m grateful for the skill of listening. I’m grateful that I was taught the power of listening at an younger age and also I’m grateful that I have found some amazing listeners in my own life.

Most strangers probably think I rarely speak. Most of my close family and friends probably think I never STOP speaking. But the people who truly listen have gained my trust, my respect, and my gratitude.

Today in a class we learned the differences between “empathic listening” and “autobiographical listening”. I appreciate both types of listeners but I find myself shutting down if someone only listens by comparing to themselves or using my sharing as a reason to speak about themselves. I suppose I may shut down if someone is JUST empathic where they ask clarifying questions, respond in silence so that I will speak up more, or always parrot what I am saying. But somewhere, in the middle- there’s a good in-between type of listening. One where someone can say, “I understand”, mean it, and then also allow me to talk without any judgement or criticism.

Those people who I feel like I can truly open up to are in my thoughts today. I’m so grateful for their gifts of listening. Hopefully I do the same for them…something to ponder.