To listen: to hear something with thoughtful attention Part one: Greeting another • At various times during the day, think about the people you will encounter. Imagine yourself being fully present when meeting them and appreciating who they are. • Review your recent encounters. Were you welcoming? If not, picture yourself being at your best when greeting them. • Set aside times to practice being present when greeting another. Part two: Practicing listening • Set times to practice listening. • Work to understand how the backgrounds and experiences of others led to their views and style. Questions might help you understand them better, but do so non-judgmentally • Let understanding replace criticism. Part three: Looking for wisdom • Remember a time when someone said just the right thing to you or did just the right thing. Recall how it felt. • Remember times when you said just the right thing to someone or did just the right thing. Remember how you felt. Quotations The first duty of love is to listen. — Paul Tillich Listening is about being present, not just about being quiet. — Krista Tippett Listen with ears of tolerance. — Rumi