CROUCH. HOLD. ENGAGE! DAWN DE WITT
How to listen well.
L
isten is such a little word, as Margaret Guenther says in her book on spiritual direction. “To listen” suggests a skill mostly untaught and somewhat taken for granted. Yet we’re doing it all the time, often oblivious to its amazing power. We learned its power from experience. Some may have had that sobering realisation: They’re not listening … not interested. I don’t, and my story doesn’t, matter. Thoughts
that left a hollow, empty feeling or gave way to burgeoning inner protest. Others may have been blessed with an experience of being truly listened to. Like the moment when you and your story mattered. Were held. Gently. Respectfully. That moment when you felt accepted and had a sense of belonging, knowing: I’m OK – and it’s OK to just be. Listening has the power to change lives. It enables us to
