Listening?

Do you really know what it is? We all think we do, I am sure. We all think that we are great listeners. Most of us believe we know the other person so well, that by the time they get the second or maybe eventhe third word out of their mouth, we know exactly what they are saying.Hmmmm. Sounds a little incorrect, you think? What does it mean to listen? I am pretty sure that the first step in listening would at least be to let the person,that you are suppose to be listening to, actually finish their sentence. This doesn't happen very often I am finding out.....less often if you have known the person for a long time. Secondly, you should make sure you understand exactly what the other person is saying or trying to say before you respond. Otherwise you are still making an assumption. So to make sure you are understanding "COMPLETELY", ask questions, repeat back to them what it is you heard. Then only when you are sure you understand what is being said to or asked of you,respond accordingly. Even when we listen, we may not be hearing. So the most important thing with good communication is being a good listener that hears as much as possible. With some luck, the person that you are communicating with, will feel "heard" and return the favor. Have any of you ever felt "unheard"? I know I have and it isn't any fun and definitely takes the wind right out of your sails for communication. The standard feeling is "why bother", they are going to do whatever regardless. So be the best listener you can be, so that even when the other person is not saying or presenting well, you can help identify what it is that they are trying to say and let them feel like they are communicating with someone that cares what they have to say and in turn will do the same for you.