Be Kind By Really Listening To Your Loved Ones
Jul 12, 2020
As I’ve mentioned before, kindness can easily take a backseat in a world that’s so busy and hectic. Sometimes we all get caught up in our own lives, attending to what seems to be most important. One of the ways we can forget to be kind to others is through a lack of attention. This happens a lot in conversation. We’re often thinking ahead to what our response will be or letting a multitude of other concerns interrupt our thoughts. One way to truly be kind is to listen attentively to your friends and loved ones. It shows you care and that you value them. Check out the tips below to learn some ways to be a better, kinder listener.
Be Responsive
One way to let someone know you’re truly listening to them is to be responsive during the conversation. Nodding your head in agreement, giving a sympathetic look, and maintaining eye contact lets the person know you are engaged with them. It’s important that you don’t overdo it and only interject at appropriate times, though. Too much can be disruptive to the give and take of conversation.
Pay Attention
This one seems obvious, but we all know how easy it is to slip into daydreams or to be thinking about our own response when someone else is talking to us. Responsiveness can help you to stay on track with what your friend is saying. Try to find other ways to hold your attention, too. It’s often pretty obvious when someone’s mind is drifting, and you could end up responding poorly.
Be Honest
If you do happen to slip away into your own thoughts and miss a key part of the conversation, don’t try to fake it. That will probably just end up in embarrassment and awkwardness all around. Instead, be honest and ask them to repeat themselves. Let them know you want to be sure you’ve understood them correctly and that you’re on the same page. Then invite them to go on with sharing their thoughts.
Avoid Judgment
Did you know you may convey judgment without intending to? Sometimes when we disagree with what someone is saying to us, we can respond in a way that shuts down conversation and puts them on the defensive. Snarky and sarcastic responses accomplish this. So does disregarding your conversation partner’s point of view by ignoring it only to focus on your own. It’s important to genuinely acknowledge what the other person is saying - even if you disagree with them.
These are just some of the ways you can show your loved ones that you’re really listening to them. Listening and being present for the people you care about is definitely a method of spreading kindness.
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