There are levels in listening. There are people who listen and meditate immediately alongside the words they are hearing; some listen and think about it later, while some listen and the words go out through the other ear. For me, these three categories apply to me—it depends on who is talking to me and the mood I am in at that moment.
Some time ago, when I was in a relationship, the lady would say things against the relationship carelessly, and she did not know that I listened deeply. I would store those funny but contradicting words and bring them out when she tried to be real, meanwhile her words said the opposite.
“Kingsleyy, you’re using my words to accuse me. What kind of person are you? Do you think I meant those words the other day?” She would angrily attack me when I used her words against her—the words she said calmly in a smooth conversation. I would try to calm her down, explaining to her that I listen deeply, pick words, and know my direction with her.
So that’s it—I am most times a deep listener. I allow people to talk while I listen and pick words depending on the topic of discussion. This helps me to tell the kind of person someone is. It’s just like one of my neighbours; he likes to criticize a lot, especially the Christian religion and people who are not treating him fine. Once he starts initiating talks, I already know where he’s heading to, and to his surprise, I sometimes complete his words for him just to let him know that I have mastered him very well.
This helps a lot in academics too. Knowing how to listen helps in understanding and assimilation. It helps the brain not to settle for cramming, as most students do. Also, some people know how to listen very well but only put that act into practice in unprofitable conversations instead of something profitable. Just like religious sermons—apart from the spiritual attachments tied to those sermons, one can actually experience a change of life if the lessons are deeply settled in the heart of the listener, and not just hear, cheer the preacher with shouts, and let the lessons fall out as soon as the person leaves the scene.
Also, I can deafen my mind and ears to people too when they bring on conversations that I am not freaked out with. I do not allow every word that goes into my ears to be settled and picked. I wave off the ones I know I do not want. It’s just like someone analyzing betting tips to me when I am not interested in betting. No matter the kind of words said, I surely know that I won’t even pick the meaning of “2 odds” or “1.5 odds” being said.
Thanks for reading.
This is my entry to Week 198, Edition 01 of the Weekly Featured contest in Hive Learners Community