“Every human being is trying to say something to others, trying to cry out, “I am alive; notice me; speak to me; listen to me; confirm for me that I am important, the I matter.” –Marion D. Hanks, reference unknown
LISTENING QUIZ
This quiz may help you to get some new information about your listening habits and use it to evaluate this skill. Mark on a sheet of paper how often you do the following 16 things. Use the following categories for responding:
0 – Never 1 – Occasionally 2 – Almost all the time 3 – All the time
____1. I let others finish speaking before I talk.
____2. I look at the one who is speaking.
____3. I am more concerned about understanding others than convincing them that I am right.
____4. I ask questions to clarify my understanding when I’[m not sure.
____5. I wait until I get all the instructions before I start leaving to do something.
____6. I pay attention to the way things are said to help me understand.
____7. I am open to new ideas.
____8. Others think I am a good listener.
____9. I pay attention to nonverbal messages too.
____10. I try to listen while doing something else that also takes my attention.
____11. I am more concerned about my point of view than the other person’s.
_____12. I change the subject when someone is in the middle of saying something.
_____13. I ignore what others are saying.
_____14. I am too busy to listen carefully.
____15. I use subtle or nonverbal questions to let people know I really don’t want to listen anymore.
____16. I make sure that others know I understand them.
Rather than answering these question as if you were listening to your spouse or friend or co-worker, how would you answer these questions if you were listening to God during your prayers and meditations?
Happy listening!
Jane
Jane Booth Robertson, Author of In Silence, Discovering Self through Meditation
Visit Jane at The Golden Light Centre for Well-Being Inc. or at her Official Author Site.
