Supportive listening is the only way for me

Listening to support others consists of four simple concepts. The first is Be Mindful which requires listeners to essentially “read between the lines”. One shouldn’t focus so much on what is being said, but rather what is being conveyed. The second is Be Careful of Expressing Judgments which requires listeners to put aside their self-centeredness and avoid judgmental comments. The third is Understand the Other Person’s Perspective which requires listeners take on the responsibility of avoiding miscommunication and misunderstanding by asking communicators to be as specific and clear as possible. The last concept is Express Support which requires listeners to offer support whether they agree or not! I always knew what type of friends I could do without, but I never knew how to classify them exactly. They were girlfriends who never left me feeling bad about myself exactly, but still nonetheless always feeling something uneasy, unsure, unsatisfied. In reviewing this concept I have since discovered that the types of friends, family, and acquaintances that I want to surround myself with are termed: Supportive listeners. Supportive listeners leave you feeling safe because you are not being judged and understood because they invest effort into trying to understand your perspective. I am proud to say that I have always been a supportive listener and didn’t even know it.