We are all aware of this old saying. Most of us probably even believe it. Why then is it so difficult to pay attention to it. I watched today a YouTube video about a town meeting in Tampa. My sound was off. However, what I saw already told me that either side did not make any progress of making themselves understood. There was way too much anger and violent behavior to deserve any attention.
If one wants to be heard, listening is the first priority. If one wants understanding, then effort in comprehending a different point of view is a must. If one wants peace, then a peaceful attitude and mind is in order. There is no other way.
No matter how much ranting and raving one does about a particular point of view, the result is only a lot of noise and very little else. To be listened to, one must behave in a way that the listener will want to listen even if the listener has a different opinion. The listener must feel comfortable, he or she must not feel threatened. The listener must feel that his/her opinion is respected. If you can make the listener feel that he or she will learn something by listening, you have already won.
1 comment:
Back in the '70s the Communists used to shout down and mock respected speakers to make sure that their views would not be heard. To this day, I remain suspect of mob mentality bully tactics, and I am a firm believer that popular consent can be manufactured so that whole populations can be strategically manipulated. So both sides must be heard and freedom of expression/speech allowed. It is the only way individuals can be in a position to make informed decisions.
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