Are You Listening With Both Your Ears?
—Grace & Truth Linkup
This podcast was making no sense.
I was listening intently, but there were so many odd silences. The speaker would talk for a few minutes, then be quiet for a few minutes.
I was almost ready to click delete.
I was listening with just the right earbud in, as I’m apt to do when I’m listening in bed.
So I added the left earbud, too, to see if it would be clearer.
That’s when I realized the problem.
- I had been hearing only answers through the right earbud.
- But questions were being asked by a separate person broadcasting through the left channel.
Now it made sense.
Sometimes it’s important to listen with both ears, not just one.
I remind myself of this truth when I find myself half-listening to someone talking to me. I fool myself that I’m giving them proper attention if I listen while also typing or reading an email.
But people deserve better. They deserve both my ears, not just one.
I deserve better, too. I want to hear all sides of a conversation.
If you want clearer depth perception, including in your relationships, listen in stereo.
Listen with both your ears.
Grace & Truth Featured Post
Lois noticed she was asking people to repeat themselves a lot.
She had to decide at age 50 that possibly looking older didn’t matter as much as her desire to hear better.
Read all of Lois’s post here at her blog, then link up your own blog posts below.
“When It’s Hard to Make a Helpful Change”
How’s your hearing? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Yep, Lois’ post hit home …
Your post made me chuckle, Lisa! I’d most likely make that same mistake – thinking something is wrong with the podcast, rather than something I was doing! In my get-it-dong, task-oriented self, my mind state can be too focused on what isn’t as important as complete attention listening. Thanks for this reminder today!
Great illustration, Lisa. If we only listen to half the conversation we will come away with the wrong conclusion.
Really listening is so important. And with our busy lives, it’s so easy to justify doing something else while someone is talking to us. I know how I feel when it seems someone is not really listening to me but I find myself tempted to do the same. Thanks for this reminder!
I had to laugh out loud at the one ear bud method of listening as I understand that!! I want to be a full-listener yet I get side-tracked or am multitasking at a given moment and just am not really listening.
Actually, am thankful to be reminded.
Oh, the humility we would miss if we didn’t wrestle with technology now and then…
Thanks for sharing that! Oh, how hard it is to be always fully listening! I wonder how much we miss with others when we aren’t “all there” in our listening. Thanks for the reminder!
Great illustration, Lisa! I want to listen in stereo! I want to be an attentive listener.
I love this, Lisa! LOL – my husband keeps an earbud in so very often – I don’t know how one person can listen to two conversations at one time – it leads to some lively discussions! Your story was the perfect vehicle – because I am just as guilty to listening with one ear while thinking with the other – LOL – maybe listening should have been my word of the year instead of another year of prayer!
This is so good, Lisa! I can relate to your dilemma because the same thing has happened to me. Hope you have had a wonderful summer.
I had no idea the sound on podcasts could be like that, Lisa. Good for you to figure out the problem … I would have needed assistance from household tech support (my daughter Molly). I love the idea of listening in stereo … with both ears, literally and figuratively. (Also fun to see my post here … thanks for sharing!)
I don’t think many podcasts transmit in stereo like that. But for whatever reason, that one sure did! lol. Thanks for being so vulnerable to share about your hearing loss. Most everyone will face that sooner or later as we age, and there’s no reason not to get help. Jeff and I have promised each other that we’ll get hearing aids when we need to.
Lisa, this is so full of truth. I always try to “hear” what the other person is saying. When I was in Social Work, I found that listening without really “hearing” what the other person is saying was me not being attentive enough. I have to confess that at times I’m distracted by my thoughts and miss something. I try to be present and in the moment though when I’m talking to someone.
Visiting today from IMM#2
Oh how I can relate here Lisa! Thank you! ☺️
Blessings, Jennifer