The Art of Listening
It's funny that I am a Communication Major and I always have miscommunication problems with people I love and care for. This time, I'm in a rut with my housemate. Well, I adore children, and even if it's not my own, I treat the child as mine. Naturally whatever is needed, I try to provide. I am very permissive as well. For as long as it does not cause harm to self or to others, then I am happy that the child is happy.
My niece is sickly these past few years. She's always having problems with her throat. Usually inflamed from too much sweets, or perhaps the change of weather or what have you.
Anyway, she was acting like a brat one morning and refused to eat. She probably just lacked sleep and her throat was a bit irritated and so, she decided she did not like her food. No matter what the yaya offered, she refused, so, after some disgruntled response and impolite gestures from the kid, I asked her what she wanted. She wasn't answering properly. I was teasing her that she sounded like a cave woman already. Eventually when I offered her some cereals, she relented and ate some.
I was in a violent relationship where raised voices was a norm. Whenever someone raises his or her voice to me, I react, negatively and fight back. I do not usually pick on fights, but once provoked, I do retaliate. That's why perhaps I get into a lot of miscommunication. The tone of the voice speaks louder than words. Even without any nasty word spoken, when the tone changes, then that means war!
I know I should be able to take each comment with a grain of salt and look into the circumstance that triggered such a reaction. The thing is, I also know when my explanation will just fall on deaf ears. It doesn't really matter if they explained it well or not, the issue here is the heart. Are you really willing to listen or not?
My niece is sickly these past few years. She's always having problems with her throat. Usually inflamed from too much sweets, or perhaps the change of weather or what have you.
Anyway, she was acting like a brat one morning and refused to eat. She probably just lacked sleep and her throat was a bit irritated and so, she decided she did not like her food. No matter what the yaya offered, she refused, so, after some disgruntled response and impolite gestures from the kid, I asked her what she wanted. She wasn't answering properly. I was teasing her that she sounded like a cave woman already. Eventually when I offered her some cereals, she relented and ate some.
I was in a violent relationship where raised voices was a norm. Whenever someone raises his or her voice to me, I react, negatively and fight back. I do not usually pick on fights, but once provoked, I do retaliate. That's why perhaps I get into a lot of miscommunication. The tone of the voice speaks louder than words. Even without any nasty word spoken, when the tone changes, then that means war!
I know I should be able to take each comment with a grain of salt and look into the circumstance that triggered such a reaction. The thing is, I also know when my explanation will just fall on deaf ears. It doesn't really matter if they explained it well or not, the issue here is the heart. Are you really willing to listen or not?
7:02 AMBreathing exercices help a lot. Why don't you try a seminar on http://www.artofliving.org.ph/
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