LISTENING TO HEAR

Some people believe that listening and hearing are the same things. They use these two words interchangeably.

The truth is they are not the same thing, and the difference between them is vital.

There is a lot to listen to but rarely do we hear.

One of these is more active and requires effort to be truly effective. The other is involuntary, natural, and organic in functionality.

Several years ago, there used to be a commercial on television advertising a cell phone company. The key slogan was “Can You Hear Me Now?”

As Art replicates Life, many ask that same question, Can You hear Me Now?

Sometimes it is us asking this question. Can You Hear Me Now?

Listening is an innate gift from God when our ears are working properly. 

This natural ability, for which there is no training required, allows us to catch vibrations and recognize sounds through the appendages on the sides of our heads, otherwise known as ears. 

Simply, listening is the receiving of vibrational waves through our ears.

Hearing, on the other hand, is a craft, that requires work. 

We do not always hear what is being communicated. One must learn to hear!

Here are some reasons why we do not Hear. 😊

For someone to hear, it requires motivation and purpose, combined with intentionality. You got to want to hear, not just listen.

To hear we must slow down and connect with the one speaking.

Let me explain why I say slow down.

Our brains can process words much faster than which they are spoken.     

The average person speaks about 125 words per minute, (we all know some exceptions) our brains have the capacity to take in about 800 words per minute.

So, when words are being spoken, our brains are clattering and clamoring, trying to search for more data to fill the space, and not fully processing the essence of what is being given.

Our brains are automatically in information-gathering mode, we have to manually shift it to understanding mode.

I know… WOW, right. That explains a lot.

I mentioned we need to be motivated to hear, by purpose and intentionality.

Hearing someone rests solely on the shoulders of how much we care. The depth of our care dictates to our ability to hear. When we don’t care, we don’t hear!

It has been said, “When you know someone cares, you’ll care what they know”

Sometimes we listen for the 6-C’s in what is being said. To Comment, Complain, Criticize, Correct, Combat, Converse.     

We must learn to listen to hear. No motives. No agendas.

Jesus said, He that has an ear, let him hear….

Most, if not all of those around him had ears. So, what did he mean?

H-EAR-T, I believe he was referring to the ear in our heart.

We listen through our ears, but we hear through our hearts. 

I have some tips to help us to listen to hear; Stay focused on what is being said, Hear with our Heart, not with our Head, and try not to comment all the time.

Listening is getting the sound, but hearing is getting the meaning.                              

                                                           This is a Thompson Truth.