To hear or not to hear, that is the question
To hear or not to hear that is the question
For the last while, I have found only a few people who were willing to listen to an opposing view. Now by the word listen I mean to sit there long enough to actually give the presenter a reasonable amount of time to speak. A willingness to listen perhaps even to hear what they were saying is a lost concept.
I am not even talking about agreeing or coming to an epiphany but simply taking the opportunity to review the position of someone else. Then take a moment to evaluate what they have heard. The general consensus is to listen with disdain simply so that we can quickly rebut the “silly” notions “spewed” by our “lesser”.
I believe we have lost the courage and strength to be wrong. I think we have forgotten that it takes not only humility to change an opinion but also the courage to truly listen to the opposing viewpoint. The belief that those who do not fully agree with me must be “stupid” has climbed to new heights. We might have lost the ability to admit that we are not completely correct.
Yes, I know it takes time to properly digest an argument and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, but who does that any more? There are so few who appear to even listen. Now, please do not take this as a look at me I am the example, I should be that is true, but to actually listen takes courage. To truly listen takes a willingness to be wrong. It takes someone who is secure with who they are to honestly evaluate their own personal beliefs.
Many people who espouse their beliefs are honestly not worth listening to, but there are some who not only are able to articulate what they believe but are also knowledgeable enough to answer the actual concerns held by their opposition. For those who have the courage, it is well worth your effort to search them out.
It can be hard to admit that it is very unlikely that I am completely correct in all that I believe. The problem arises when I am content to stay wrong simply because I am comfortable in my position. To hear or not to hear, that is the question.
What is your answer?
Blessings!
Life Lessons
in Café beBee
Articles from Greg Rolfe
View blog
Hold it tightly just not too tightly. · "When people care deeply about the same things, when they sh ...
When the party is over · When the party’s over and it’s time to go home but you don’t want the fun t ...
Remembering what is important · We have all heard the saying “the tyranny of the urgent”. The releva ...
Related professionals
John Rylance
I am a pensioner who enjoys reading and commenting on the posts and comments on this platform
Education / Training
You may be interested in these jobs
-
The Division of Legal Services (DLS) has an opening for a Hearings Officer within the Administrative Hearings Section.Do you want to be an attorney who can make a difference? Join DLS in our mission to empower Missourians to live safe, healthy, and productive lives. · ...
Raytown1 month ago
-
The Texas Workforce Commission is looking for attorneys or law school graduates to serve as Hearing Officers for unemployment hearings. You must be a Texas resident or willing to relocate. This role involves conducting formal hearings on appeals involving claims for unemployment ...
Bryan1 month ago
-
· Job Description · Hearing Instrument Specialist / Audiologist Sam's Club Port Huron, MI, USA · Full-time · Position: Specialist (HIS or AuD) · Job Description · Our Mission: "Helping People Hear Better" · About this Hearing Specialist / Audiologist opportunity in Port Huron, ...
Port Huron4 days ago
Comments
Greg Rolfe
3 years ago#9
@Pascal Derrien sometimes that is all we are looking for. Much more often than the smart answer.
Pascal Derrien
3 years ago#8
No smart answer but hey I hear you :-)
Greg Rolfe
3 years ago#7
Sometimes the “but” in that phrase is vastly important, other times it is me simply buying time to find something to say. May I have the strength to actually shut up and listen. Then as you said evaluate appropriately.
John Rylance
3 years ago#6
It's having the strength to say I hear what your saying, but ……….
Jorge Enrique A.
3 years ago#5
I listen as much as I can, and as much as they allow me too. 😂
Greg Rolfe
3 years ago#4
I agree Fey! Truth is no longer, if it ever was, the standard by which we see and evaluate. Jesus was quite aware of reality and the shortfallings of man. I wish only more would listen.
Fay Vietmeier
3 years ago#3
@Greg Rolfe
Your appeal is always thought-full Greg 💜
I liked this point:
Many people who espouse their beliefs are honestly not worth listening to, but there are some who not only are able to articulate what they believe but are also knowledgeable enough to answer the actual concerns held by their opposition. For those who have the courage, it is well worth your effort to search them out.
As we well know .. there is nothing new under the sun
"There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what is not true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true." - Soren Kierkegaard
How often do people stop to consider that the condition of their heart affects your ability to hear .. see and understand? This has to do with heart-attitude.
Heart-attitude is a matter of perspective and will.
What is inherent in human nature that makes people unable to hear .. or see?
To perceive. To understand. Which is deeper. This is discernment.
What limits our ability to perceive & to understand - in turn contributes to the distortion of reality & truth
A simple truth:
As much as time changes things, this one thing does not change: people see what they want to see & hear what they want to hear and believe what they want to believe.
Truth is NOT the Standard.
Increasingly it is human opinion which is finite and often flawed
At the root .. everything is spiritual
“Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.” Ephesians 4
Who knew this better than Jesus?
The ear-opening .. eye-opening words of Jesus Christ
“Though seeing, they do NOT see; though hearing, they do NOT hear or understand.” - Matthew 13
https://us.bebee.com/producer/closed-eyes-hard-hearts
Greg Rolfe
3 years ago#2
Thank you, I will read it!!
Ken Boddie
3 years ago#1
I hear you, Greg, and understand the problem. You may like to look over an old post of mine on this same or parallel subject a few years ago:
https://au.bebee.com/producer/why-not-just-shut-up-and-listen
One of the problems is that, when engaged in robust conversation, and when not speaking, most of us are preparing to speak instead of listening. I’m sure you’ve heard the old proportionality adage about one mouth and two ears. 🙉