A simple way to be closer to those you care about.
Listening is a great way to be closer to those you love. Listening closely strengthens relationships.
Here are four things I do to increase the effectiveness of my listening and be closer to those I love.
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Ask “How are you?” and mean it.
When I ask this important question, I say the words slowly. I pay attention to the other person’s face as I say these words to prepare to truly listen to the answer.
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Ask follow up questions.
I ask open-ended follow-up questions.
Last week my husband had carpal tunnel release surgery. Every morning when we wake up I ask him how his hand is feeling. This morning he said it felt fine. I asked him, “What can you do today with your left hand that you could not do before the surgery?”
Follow-up questions show that I value what how he feels and thinks.
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Ask “What do you mean by that?”
I deepen our conversations with this question. This question invites my husband to expand his thinking and take up more space in our relationship. This is one of the greatest gifts we can give in relationships.
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Ask “What do you think?”
When I am explaining something, I stop and ask him what he thinks. Sometimes when I explain things, I dominate the conversation and I do not want to do that. Dominating the conversation violates relationship boundaries. When I ask this question, I am maintaining equality and respect in our conversation and in our relationship.
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When we connect with someone, we deepen our relationship. Listening is the best way to connect with our partners or children or anyone else.
Truly listen to those you love and have more meaningful relationships.
Let the encouraging words in these near a river posts help you
soar like an eagle above life’s storms.
Need a hug?
Love is very powerful!
Want successful relationships?
Love life and yourself…every day…
If you enjoyed this post, remember that BJ writes children’s books.
Her encouraging children’s eagle
near a river common core reading book
is available on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.
Buy BJ’s near a river encouraging eagle reading book
for a child you care about today!
