ARE YOU LISTENING?

Ok, the other day I was with someone who did something that totally gets on my nerves.  She did it without realizing it.  I noticed because I used to do it, and I know many people who do it frequently.  INTERRUPT!  Interrupt someone while they're speaking and begin speaking your own thoughts without realizing the rude error.  That just irks me!  And I'm sure the only reason it does bother me is because I had recognized that flaw in myself several years ago and have since consciously reminded myself to correct it.

Are you listening?  Not many people do truly listen and I'll tell you why.  Instead of truly listening to the

person who is talking to you, your mind is wandering to what you will say next.  Your mind is racing to get all the words out that you have to say and, many times, it comes blurting out of your mouth as soon as the other person takes a breath mid statement.

So, your challenge today is: anytime you're in a conversation with someone LISTEN when they speak.  LISTEN with your ears and your heart.  When it is your turn to speak, your ears and heart will have already communicated with your mind without your help - and your words will come.  It's like breathing - you don't have to think about breathing because your lungs, heart, blood, etc. are already in communication with your mind.  So relax and LISTEN to the person who is communicating with you; you're ears, heart and mind are already on it!

When the one person I was with was done speaking, post interruption, I brought it to her attention that she had just interrupted the other woman.  The other woman quickly said, "that's ok - I'm used to people doing that."

It's NOT "ok".  Are you "used to" people interrupting you??  You shouldn't "get used to it".  YOU and what you have to say is just as important as anyone else, in the proper context.  When you've been interrupted it is likely the other person is not aware that they are interrupting.  You should LISTEN to them as they speak, and when done, gently bring it to their attention that they interrupted you, and then finish what you were saying before responding to what they interrupted with.

I'm perfectly comfortable with giving these suggestions and observations because I wish someone would have brought it to my attention when I was being so rude.  I honestly didn't realize I was doing it till one day I "caught myself".  I was shocked!  I made a change immediately.  If I mess up sometimes and interrupt without thinking, I certainly hope someone says "hey, hang on!  I wasn't finished."  We need to pay attention to others, it's not all about us....well, it's mostly about us, but not all - LOL!!! ;)