My partner was listening to me express my frustration about a discussion I had with a friend of mine. When I poured out my side of the story he asked me about the other person’s. Now that annoyed me to no end! I gave myself a ‘time-out’ and thought about his response a little more.
What would life be like if I took more time to consider the merits of someone’s else’s point of view instead of my own? Dr. Stephen Covey wrote about it in the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, one of my very favourite books. “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” What would happen if I asked more questions to deepen my understanding of the other person’s point of view? Listened more and talked less? That doesn’t mean giving up my right to disagree or to agree. It means creating more meaningful conversation, building understanding from both ends, possibly leading to more creative decisions, but, more importantly, leaving our dignities intact.
We all want to be heard, and there are always two sides to every story. We all have different point of views and all have the right to express them. It just takes a special kind of person and some work to take the time to see that.
P.S… thanks for helping me to see that dear.
