In the Russian language, there are perfective and imperfective forms for every verb and multiple prepositions that change meanings and nuances of every verb, when they are attached to the verb. When using the verb “to listen”, there are powerful nuances revealing that just because we listen to something, doesn’t mean that we really hear it. How sad it is that we hear voices and noises around us day and night, but do not listen very well. When we actually stop to listen, we rarely hear what is really being said. How tragic it is that we are are often unable to hear hearts. Of all the human faculties, we seem to struggle most with the usage of our tongues and our ears. It’s very difficult to tame our tongues that so often get us into trouble, and our ears are possibly our most underused and undervalued body part.

Isn’t it obvious that ears are to be used for hearing? It seems that it would be natural for everyone to use their ears to hear, but in reality, very few people in this world truly know how to listen attentively. They are too busy thinking or talking to hear. Their minds are already closed, so they cannot hear anything that differs from what they believe or think that they know. How well do you use your ears? Do you spend much time listening to others, or are you too busy telling them where to go, what to believe, and what they should do? Are you always ready and willing to listen, or are you too busy criticizing and complaining to hear and understand the reasons for things being as they are?

In truth, our ears are extremely valuable, and it would benefit us and those around us greatly if we would make learning to listen a priority. Those of us, who decide to develop our skill of learning to listen – to really listen, could have our whole lives changed. Our spouses and children would begin to open up their hearts and desires to us. Other people would believe that we truly cared, and they would accept our advice and help more, because we have listened to them. By keeping our ears and minds and hearts wide open every day, we personally would learn very much and continually grow. When we listen, we learn!

Many of us don’t listen well, simply because we are not attentive. We are too preoccupied with other thoughts or activities to really pay attention to others. Sometimes, what other people say to us enters our ears, but never penetrates to our brain or heart, because we are busy thinking about what we will answer or say next, or are preoccupied with our own feelings. This reveals that we value our own opinions and feelings more than what others may think or feel. Real listening must be done intentionally and consciously! Never forget how important it is to listen, for when we listen, we love!

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