My girlfriend says I never listen to her. I think that's what she said. - Drake Sather

There is an old saying that God gave us two ears and one mouth so we may hear more and talk less. How well we use our ears can play an important part in determining what we learn as we go through life.

Listening is an excellent way to keep the lines of communication open. The good listener can add immensely to the art of true communication and to the enjoyment of those around him.

Active Listening
Active listening means staying focused on what the person speaking is saying. In active listening, we use our ears in the same way as a photographer uses a camera. To get the best pictures, the photographer adjusts the lens of the camera until the settings are correct.

As active listeners, we must adjust the focus of our attention to remain aware of what the speaker is telling us. The more we listen and learn, the better able we become to develop the potential we possess. In school, who learns more, the listeners or the talkers? Isn't this law the same in the great school of life?

A reason why relationships break down may be that one or more of the people involved have not learned to listen! Listening is a skill. When we develop it to the fullest, we increase our capacity to learn, we expand our creative talents, and we enhance our ability to keep good relationships. A true conversation is an exciting opportunity to learn something about one another from one another!