Nobody Wants to Listen

Sadness reigns as I see the diminishing ears ofBe it professional, mutual, intimate or casual
people in our present time. Humans are gettingrelationship, much of its harmony rest on the
more aggressive in voicing their own ramblings.capacity of each to extend themselves through
Rather than listening to one another, we throwlistening. Unfortunately, attentive listening has been
volley of snippy retorts complete withconsidered a drag; today's practice favors
accompanying profanities. Major differences areimpromptu response rather than reciprocal
oftentimes settled in damaging verbal disputeexchange of emphatic silence. Our media are
which leaves both parties pierced through theoverflowing with examples to justify this
heart.damaging human trend, and the disturbing reality is
Communication has become one-sided these days.we are actually patronizing this foolish display of
Everybody talks and no one cares to listen.decadence.
Despite the countenance of silence most peopleWhy are we having conflicts? Why must people
display, their thoughts are ruminating on the nextshout their despair by means of violence? Why
words that will lash out of their mouths. Each ismust there be war in order to be heard? Why
obstinate with their opinion of things, each believesmust nature be violent in reminding us of our
in the veracity of their arguments and all arevulnerability? Couples end in devastation, friendship
confident with the correctness of their judgment.fell in misunderstanding and trust ends in betrayal.
Consequently, people have abandoned the veryDoes anyone bother to find its true cause?
essence of communication.If only we could listen there would be much to
Has listening become inappropriate anymore? Ilearn. Perhaps we could learn the uniqueness of
hope not. Still, everywhere I look I see exchangeothers, or learn the pain of our loved ones, or
of deafness. Husband goes deaf in the form oflearn the feelings of people who rely on us, or
stonewalling while wives go deaf with incessantlearn the reason of our miseries and misgivings, or
complaints. Parents are unable to hear their childlearn the cause of our errors, or the learn the
because their ears are muffled with authority.true cause of nature's vengeance upon man, and
Leaders tend to not hear the bigger issuesmore importantly, maybe we can learn who we
because their pride is drumming noisily on theirreally are deep inside.
thoughts. In every exchange I encounter, seldomUnfortunately, listening had been steered to
do I see a person who truly listens. Most areinappropriate use. Much to my disappointment we
eager to launch their say on issues without evenpay more attention to activities which
listening to the thoughts of the other party. Thisdeteriorates our growth. Who does not love to
foolish attitude scratches the harmony ofhear of senseless gossip, or the circus showbiz, or
relationship which we should extend to our selfconfusing politics, or unethical debates, or
and to our kind.chauvinistic shows or depressing news? How very
There is much wisdom to be learned if we allowattentive we are in hearing what happens to who
our self to be still and lend our ears for a while.when we gossip; how excited we are to hear the
Conflicts and misunderstanding should have neverlatest buzz in the showbiz arena; how eager we
been if people let go of their deafeninghear the political stand of our favored politicians;
condescension and truly hear what others have tohow we gleefully we absorb the arguments in
say. It does not matter who is right or wrong,damaging debates; how we love to hear the
listening without judgment unburdens each of thedrama of our favorite shows and how we hear
feeling of being unheard. Humans need attention,depressing news.
and when deprived we tend to make noise. If weMuch of the questions in life some are searching,
all focus on making noises, how can we come upyet they cannot find. If man can only listen, the
with a resolve?answer is right before him. Are your listening?