Hearing vs. Listening
Why is it that people can hear the same thing and come away with different interpretations?The answer is that most people just hear what’s being said. Others take the time to actually listen to what’s being said. There is a significant and monumental difference between hearing and listening. Hearing means that someone “hears” what’s being said and then translates the message into a meaning for himself. When you listen, however, you also take an extra moment to think about the person who’s speaking. It’s only then that you’ll have a clear understanding of what is trying to be conveyed. It’s so important to go beyond the words you hear, and instead, listen to what’s being said.
For example, when a mother “listens” to her baby cry, she knows right away if it’s a cry of unhappiness, hunger, or tiredness. But anyone else who was simply “hearing” the same cry could never be able to discern what kind of cry it was. But since a mother “listens” to her baby, she will add more to the message than just the noise of crying and will instantly know how to react.
So when someone says something of importance to you, try to “listen” to her by taking the time to think about her personal circumstances. The same words said by one person can have a vastly different meaning when said by someone else. And by listening, you’ll know just how to react and be able to give the person precisely what she needs.