Listen…

Yesterday, I took a team of heavyweights through their first taste of BTL practice. We went backwards with a strong team accustomed to fast forward. We slowed down. We assumed less. I walked them through how we speak and listen, BTL style. I forced them to write before they spoke. And, no commentary was allowed once all had said their piece. They practiced playing Leonardo. Clarity arrived. Clarity, some felt they already had. Funny, crystal clarity for any team takes time to transfer from one brain to another. You thinking something, anything, is clear does NOT make it so for me. Slowly, I connect. Slowly, I gain your kinda clarity. Slowly. Yesterday, with a team of heavyweights we slowed down. You see, these heavyweights, like so many, have mastered speaking much more than they’ve mastered listening.

The truth is that the hardest part of learning to speak and listen, BTL style, is learning how to give another human your undivided attention. Giving anyone your FULL attention is always an act of LOVE.

Think about it. To be fully tuned into what another is sending you, you have to look them in the eyes, you have to lock into their language, study their body, remain present, block your biases, forget the times they’ve tweaked your justice thread, stop thinking about what you’re going to say in response, and suspend all thoughts about your favorite topic…

Yourself.

Today, when you choose to be with the ones you love zip it up and tune ’em in. Give another your ears, your eyes, your mind, your heart and let them have your undivided attention. You just might send them more. More LOVE, that is.

Who knew listening, really listening has to be rooted in the L word. Who knew.

God, help me listen to those few that I love. God, help me listen to those few that are willing to tell me the truth. God help me listen to You.

God, help me hear…