Deep listening and loving speech

Providing the space to hear
what is being said.
It matters not if I am
speaker or listener
deep listening is required on both sides.

And in that space I hear
my ungracious words,
my wounding gossip,
my harmful tittle-tattle,
my meanness and unkindness.
I hear it all
and I don’t want to be so small.

I hear it all
and hear another way of speaking
that raises up instead of knocking down,
that is generous, non-judgmental and kind,
that sees the best in others and
praises instead of defeating,
that is patient instead of rushing
to hasty conclusions.

Deep listening and loving speech
always together
providing the space to hear
what is being said.

© 24 Mar 2014