Special offer

Motivational Monday…the Gift of a Good Ear

By
Home Stager

Motivational Monday…the Gift of a Good Ear

 

Recently I spent some time with a friend who called for some marital advice. She didn’t feel comfortable speaking with family members or her friends who were closer to her age. 

 

But she did tell me that she felt I would listen to what she said and not judge her. And…I did speak with her and listened to what was going on. 

 

 

I’m not a professional therapist. What I gave to her was my time and even more important…my total attention. 

 

For many people, the answers they are seeking are already within their reach. What they need are…

 Ears that will give them their undivided attention…that will hear the words and sentiments being spoken.

A mouth that stays closed until needed even though what it wants to do is tell you what to do.

Eyes that are wide open to what is and isn’t being said. 

 

A heart that will not judge. 



 

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Leo Buscaglia

 

I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening. Larry King

 

Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk. Doug Larson

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

In Person Consultations in Texas
for Houston & Harris Counties
and
Virtual Staging Consultations
for all states


Follow My Blog for Practical, Creative,
Easy-to-Do Styling Solutions
Whether You're Selling
or Want to Fall Back in Love
With Your Home
 

561-914-6224
Call or Text

Email Me

About Me
My Blog
   Facebook
Instagram

 

Comments(25)

Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Good Morning Kathy Streib - Years ago I heard this quote originally attributed to Mark Twain "If the good Lord wanted us to talk more than to listen, he would have given us two mouths and only one ear." Wise words no matter who stated them.

May 16, 2022 06:31 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Kathy - what you did made you an excellent coach.  Actively listening but not judging and helping them find their own solution.

May 16, 2022 06:43 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

That's the big problem Kathy...many do not really listen. They are there in some respect, but not focused on what is really being said!

May 16, 2022 06:49 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Good job Kathy Streib . The power to listen without talking over others is getting to be a lost art. Some people looking for a listening ear are very close to suicided. We are not going to catch their need if we insist on talking instead of listening.

May 16, 2022 07:24 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Kathy, for sharing this experience and your advice.

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

May 16, 2022 08:15 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kathy,  I think listening is always more important to do then talking all the time.  let people get things off their chest.

 

May 16, 2022 09:51 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Well I know first hand what a great listener and support you can be, Kathy! Thank you for those times you were my therapist .

May 16, 2022 11:42 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Oh Kathy Streib you are so sweet wish you lived closer 

May 16, 2022 01:49 PM
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

I love that quote by Leo Buscaglia (especially when you know the person that he is referring to in it)

May 16, 2022 03:47 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Kathy,

Listening is a powerful skill combined with everything else you have mentioned.  I have had 2 close family members have spousal issues.  It is heartbreaking.  But what you stated is the best formula for help and support.

May 16, 2022 04:51 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy most people already know the cause and solution to their marital problems, and just need to say them out laud to a listening ear.

May 16, 2022 05:00 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Nina Hollander, Broker I hear you. Often it's all I can do to not insert myself and just listen. 

Wayne Martin that's called improving with age...good for you. 

May 16, 2022 05:47 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Kathy Streib as a type A personality my first instinct is always to jump in and fix everything. People don't always look for a fix, just an ear.

May 17, 2022 04:02 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Kat Palmiotti  you know, all we want is to know that we're being heard. 

Joan Cox all of us needs someone we can call or see and know that we will be heard. 

May 16, 2022 05:51 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Raymond Henson, eXp Realty I have a hard time with trying to figure out what to say too. Just letting them know that you ARE listening and that you care can be important. 

Leanne Smith it's a favorite quote of mine as well. 

May 16, 2022 06:07 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Grant Schneider Thank you!!!! I appreciate that. 

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 so true and they start by talking about their own issues. 

May 16, 2022 06:44 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

So true Bob "RealMan" Timm We have to learn to actively listen to what some is saying and not just with their words. 

Hi Roy Kelley and thank you. Hope that you and Chef Dolores are well. 

May 16, 2022 06:46 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

So true Will Hamm often that's all they need to do. 

Sharon Tara LOL remember the boat trip from H___!   Thank you and my ear is always there for you. 

May 16, 2022 06:51 PM
Sharon Tara

How could I forget! I considered including that boat trip in the part about something I would never want to do again....didn't want to relive it. LOL

May 18, 2022 04:33 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hannah Williams that would be so much fun. If you did, you'd have to attend a family dinner!!! You may change your mind then. 

Rocky Dickerson I know who he is but not sure who he is referring to. 

May 16, 2022 06:53 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sheri Sperry - MCNE® if you give someone this gift of listening and being there for them, you've given them one of the best gifts a person can give. It's really hard when it's family members, though. 

George Souto that is so true!!!!  That's what most of us need. 


May 16, 2022 06:55 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

This post is the total package it has a little bit of wisdom for everyone along with motivation. Thank you for sharing Kathy 😀

May 16, 2022 07:06 PM