Happy Listening - Ep. 437

Happy Listening begins with being curious and wanting to learn,
In letting someone tell their story without distractions,
By trying to understand instead of just waiting for your turn,
And engaging using non-judgmental reactions.

 

[full text below]

 

Ep. 437 - Happy Listening

We begin as always 
with the Happy Creed.

We believe in Happy, 
in Balance and Growth, 
of being Mindful and Grateful,
Compassionate and Understanding.

Yowza
Haha
My Happy Friends!

Happy Listening begins with being curious and wanting to learn,
In letting someone tell their story without distractions,
By trying to understand instead of just waiting for your turn,
And engaging using non-judgmental reactions.

Such as eye contact, words of encouragement and nodding, 
And being able to identify and track the points they’re making,
So, if they need to re-focus you can help with very little prodding,
Which shows you’re paying attention and aren’t faking.

This can make them feel valued, seen and heard,
And you don’t even have to share their point of view,
Validating their perspective isn’t about agreeing with every word,
It’s about recognizing why it’s important to them not to you.

There are countless topics I know very little about,
And so you’d think I couldn’t carry on a conversation,
But I’m eager to let a greater appreciation come out,
So I welcome every description, account, and explanation.

This is how I was able to be a babysitter for years on end,
How I was able to turn many a temp job into a long term guarantee,
How I once spent eight hours at an airport making a new friend,
And how I can hang with all sorts of people vastly different from me.

Haha
Yowza