Day 27 Being Heard

Day_27

Today's theme is in honor of National Day of Listening (In America) - a movement to get people to interview and tape the story of a loved one to connect, learn and preserve a part of oral history.

There's a saying that goes: You can literally listen a person's soul into existence. Have you ever had the gift of truly being heard? An opportunity to share yourself without interruption, advice or judgement? It's an amazing gift and one to be grateful for. If you have a story - we would love to hear it!

Gratitudes Refresh

0 #56 You don't know what you have until its gone....suqui1122 12-07-2009 14:25

My mother passed 5 years ago. I always enjoyed lengthy conversations with her. They were always intellectually stimulating. Since then my Dad has done well, has met another gal. I immensely enjoy visiting them, however the intensity of conversation is just not the same. I now realize that what my Mom gave me was a gift....she listened to me. Wow! Such a lesson that I must pay forward. I am grateful to have learned this powerful lesson.

0 #55 i am thankful for louise.lucy 12-02-2009 22:27

my friend louise is always there to listen to me, no matter what the subject is...but more than that, she remembers things i want to tell her about, and reminds me to share with her things i want to tell her. for example, i will tell her i have a story for her, and she will ask me the next time were together about the story, even if i have since forgotten. things like this show me how dedicated she is to me. it is so refreshing that she takes time to not only process what i am saying, but that i know she thinks about the best advice possible before just saying what i want to hear, and answers me genuinely. she thinks about my well-being and inquires about my life often, which allows me to feel totally comfortable and honest with her. she is a great listener, i am so lucky to have her in my life.

0 #54 busyskfairman 12-01-2009 20:43

Being heard is such a blessing. So often people are so wrapped up in their own thoughts and lives that they don't stop to listen. I'm that way as well. I catch myself not listening to my children. I'm thankful for the times I remind myself to take a breath and listen to them.

0 #53 I am heardAmyNB 12-01-2009 20:37

I have trouble listening. It is something I need to work on...but I am grateful that I know this about myself and can take steps in improving it.

0 #52 Being HeardAnna Turnbull 12-01-2009 19:55 VA

I am grateful that I have the ability to listen to people. I hear them and don't judge or advise them. Many times people with problems just want someone to listen.

0 #51 My coach - AndreaCarolLeavitt 12-01-2009 16:50

I am so grateful for my coach, Andrea Sigetich, who has a true gift for listening to and validating me. When I need to work out a problem, she listens. When I need to bounce an idea, she listens. When I need to create something new in my life, she listens. When I talk with her, I always feel soundly heard - she'll even ask probing questions to really "get" what I'm meaning. She has a wonderful gift, and I'm glad that she shares it so unselfishly with me and her clients & friends.

0 #50 The Beauty of Hearingtcg09 12-01-2009 15:00

Having recently experienced hearing loss and now getting some hearing to return, all I can say is hearing is such a divine gift. This past year has been such a challenge...not being able to hear people talk, on the phone, the wind, the birds...on and on. This past weekend I was able to actually hear Christmas music being palyed in the stores. And it is wonderful to hear my grandchildren voices. I still have a little way to go but when my three grandchilden come in for the holidays, I am determined not to miss one word of what they have to say to me.

0 #49 Family historybreak46 12-01-2009 11:00

I think that is a wonderful idea to interview and tape the story of a loved one. My father and my aunt were left in Ireland at a young age by their parents who returned to the US. Their parents came to get them 9 years later (with 2 more siblings). I learned early on that my father had felt abandoned by his parents and did not like to talk about his time in Ireland. Unfortunately, as a result I never asked him about his time in Ireland or his relationship with his parents (who had both died before I was born).
I was at a family party a few years ago with some of my mother's cousins that we see regularly at family gatherings when my brother suddenly asked Edith how she met her husband. She went on to tell us how she 'crashed' her husband John's sister's wedding in the Bronx. John asked Edith to dance at that wedding and that same day told his sister he was going to marry Edith. Edith was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer soon after that party, so I was very glad that my brother had suddenly decided to ask her how she met her husband.

0 #48 My Grandfathercakube 12-01-2009 10:20

My grandpa was a wonderful story teller and he used to mezmerize me with tall tales all of the time. I share some of these stories with my kids and watch the enjoyment on their faces, hopeing they will someday share the same stories with their children...

0 #47 Powerful!Tradecki 12-01-2009 06:32 Florida

I am so thankful for being heard. I did not speak up until recently, and now that I have, and feel that people are listening, all things have changed. I also am grateful that God hears me. He hears my prayers daily and comes through for me everytime!

0 #46 Friends to Confide InLEJ 11-30-2009 17:27

Lately, I have been going through a personal crisis, and I have found the most comfort in my amazing girlfriends and mentors who have given me the gift of listening. Just having them listen to what I need to say and comfort me with their advice and encouragement means more to me than any material gift. Being heard when I need it most is invaluable.

0 #45 Listening/Being Heard4788erin 11-30-2009 17:14

As a parent I feel that I am a pretty good listener, and sometimes I feel like I am being heard. Her actions reflect this at least most of the time!

0 #44 Good answersjcfair 11-30-2009 12:44

When I get the right answers in school, I feel like people listen to what I have to say. It makes me feel good.

0 #43 like mother like sonmcdfam5 11-30-2009 09:59 mcdfam5

I'm grateful for my mother-in-law who always seemed to be listening and empathizing with me when she was alive. And I continue to be grateful to her because she passed on that gift of listening to her son. I'm so thankful for a husband who listens and tries to understand.

0 #42 My Dad's Autobiographypaphelps1 11-30-2009 09:07 Phelps/Merrick FL

A few years ago my dad dictated his autobiography. I had the joy of transcribing the tapes and he had the book printed and bound and gave each of his kids, grandchildren, etc. a copy. It is such a treasure now as two years ago he passed away. Whenever any of us need a memory we simply pick up the book and read to our heart's (and tears) content. My mother now suffers from Alzheimer's and Dad's autobiography is a Godsend for her - even tho reading is difficult, she is still able to pick it up and read small sections and attempt to jog her memory. It reminds me of The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks :(

0 #41 HearingAngie 11-30-2009 09:02 Saline, MI

I am grateful for all the questions I asked my grandparents and great grandmother while I grew up, because that gave me a greater appreciation of who they truly were. If I had not taken the time to truly hear them, I would have missed out on a lot of information.

+2 #40 Learning to listenSoulsinger 11-30-2009 03:09

As a child I spent a lot of time with my maternal grandparents and subsequently a lot of time with older relatives. I am very grateful for the stories they shared from their youth and I learned so just by listening to them. Unfortunately our society doesn't seem to value the wisdom of our elders as much as we should. They have so much to share with us if we would just listen.

0 #39 GroupDavid Kapusansky 11-29-2009 22:21 DUMC Dexter, MI

I have my Thursday morning group at church we meet at 7 and share stories. We are a small group but we don't focus on bible study. We take fellowship seriously. Not in a heavy way but I know that these guys would do anything for me. The most basic function that we provide is a listening ear. As we check in on each others families these guys remember what is going on and check in regularly. I thank God for them.

+1 #38 Story Corpsarborwoman 11-29-2009 14:49 Ann Arbor. MI

I am grateful that NPR shares some stories from Story Corps. I neglected to ask my family about their lives, so I take pleasure from other peoples' stories.

0 #37 listeningdocdocdog 11-29-2009 12:44 ceballos saldana houston/tx

I'm grateful for the opportunities my work gives me to listen to people. I've been truly moved on several occasions recently about the power of "just listening", on both myself and the person I'm listening to.

+1 #36 Few good friendsmmatkins 11-28-2009 22:47

It is so wonderful to have friends that will listen to you and not judge you.

+1 #35 My Friendpretzalgal 11-28-2009 17:22

I have a very good friend who REALLY listens to me and will not interrupt or give advice unless I ask for it! I can share anything with her and not be judged!

0 #34 votingginny 11-28-2009 10:13 momhill mi

i am gratefull to live in a country where my voice can be heard where i dont have to hide or be in fear

0 #33 Bunnydeserthiker 11-28-2009 09:42 Bend

I am a coach. It is my job beyond all else, to hear people. To really hear people. I am not only blessed with being able to give the gift of hearing, but I am also heard by my friends and especially by my husband, my soul-mate. I'd say it is the most important gift one can give and receive. It is essential to me to be heard. Without it, I wither up. I am very grateful to be heard by others. Like the bunny that is real because he is loved, so I am real because I am heard.

0 #32 Familycindynale 11-28-2009 09:42

I am so grateful for my family, but there has always been so many times where I had to always listen to them about my life and not really be able to express to them how I felt. Well last night I got to do that and amazingly, it felt good..

+1 #31 GrandmaLifeCoachKristine 11-28-2009 09:24

My grandma is finally telling me her stories. I'm not sure if she was ashamed of her colorful past or if it was too painful, but I now respect her not only as a grandma, but also as a woman.

+2 #30 The gift of listening2Degus 11-28-2009 09:17 working at listening Saline, MI

Those with the gift of listening, and hearing, and being engaged, are wonderful people. I remember a pastor who had that gift. The pastor knew all about everyone, as he listened and remembered everyones story and thus could speak to each person in a sermon or in consultation, because he really had learned about each person. Thus when he did speak, it was about that person. He could help each person to realize their special gifts. It isn't that he then told people what to do, he helped them realize what they wanted to do. The listener helps by listening, and helping the other person hear themselves. It is an amazing gift. I am thankful to have experienced some good listeners. It has helped me.

+1 #29 Being HeardCarole 11-28-2009 08:28 Carole Ann Arbor

Many years ago I truly felt I was not a good listener and wanted to better my skills, so attended one of the best "Listening/Communications" workshop ever at a UM. The instructor had an amazing way of keeping the audience engaged and bringing forth new ideas that go with listening that I'd never thought about--specifically the idea that we all talk and hear with our own values -- and depending on those values, can determine exactly what you hear. I will be continually grateful for having had the opportunity to attend the workshop, and know that I'm a much better listener. And, I hope a much better speaker.