I think it's helpful for me to expect challenging voices to also be uncomfortable to me. Active listening doesn't always come with emphatic nodding, or a quick rebuttal, both of which I feel generally comfortable with. I recently was confronted by my own tendency to create duality when I find a situation overwhelming, because its easier to respond to duality with agreement or disagreement. Active listening requires that I sit in the discomfort and accustom myself to its presence for a while.
Yes, yes, and more yes to this! Thank you, Kimberlyn. By listening instead of defending we can ALL be better versions of ourselves…and better friends to each other. No one is above that. XO
I think it's helpful for me to expect challenging voices to also be uncomfortable to me. Active listening doesn't always come with emphatic nodding, or a quick rebuttal, both of which I feel generally comfortable with. I recently was confronted by my own tendency to create duality when I find a situation overwhelming, because its easier to respond to duality with agreement or disagreement. Active listening requires that I sit in the discomfort and accustom myself to its presence for a while.
Yes, yes, and more yes to this! Thank you, Kimberlyn. By listening instead of defending we can ALL be better versions of ourselves…and better friends to each other. No one is above that. XO