We are often so sure of the stories running through our mind like a movie on loop, that we only pick and choose bits of the conversations that validate our known perceptions, rejecting everything else being told to us.

Let’s not forget that listening is not about us, it is about the other person.

Having said that, it’s perfectly understandable if we don’t always have the emotional bandwidth to be such a profoundly mindful listener. This is only to keep resetting our listening powers as often as needed.

We can always get back to a person and say, “Hey, I’m sorry I got a bit distracted. I don’t think I really heard you. I’m listening now. What were you saying? Is this what you meant?”

It is equally important to not write people off for momentary phases when they cannot be as comprehensive a listener. Happens. To each one of us.

Long story short, it helps a great deal to remember that maybe we got it all wrong in our mind and we’d know the reality only if we can listen to what the person is telling us in the here and now.

Can you listen to what is being said, over and above the stories in your head?

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