At this time, when Pope Francis invited the whole Church to listen in order to learn to be a synodal Church, we are all invited to rediscover listening as essential for good communication. The pope in his 2022 World Communications Day message entitled “Listening with the ear of the heart´ expressed concern that people were “losing the ability to listen,” both in the Church and wider public life. In the light of enhancing the listening capabilities of children, BETTY AMUKPO takes some of them on the act of listening. Excerpts:
‘I listen to my heart by being “calm” and quiet; I don’t respond fast’
Communication is an important aspect of life because as human beings which our Lord has created us, He gives us heart to connect. During communication, I listen to my heart by being “calm” as my mummy had taught me, to always be quiet and not to respond fast. To think deeply inside of me and reflect the ways of Christ our Saviour. To be patient when replying because when we are patient during communication, we will hear what our hearts have to say to us which will be the truth. I also listen to my heart by reading the word of God because by so doing, our hearts finds solace and will give us the chance to listen to him clearly during communication.
• Eyinade Gideon
‘Hearing God’s voice requires a listening heart’
Hearing God’s voice requires a listening heart. The art of listening to God requires Silence. One must quieten his or her heart and embrace the stillness that allows one to truly know God. Silence asks us to close our mouth in order to open our heart. Sitting in silence and inviting God to speak to us is a great way to begin listening to God with our hearts.
• Umennadi Francis Chibunna
“If we listen to our heart it means we are trying to understand what is being said”
Listening to your heart means following your instincts and emotion, instead of your mind. Listening with your heart is to summarise your understanding of what was just said. Listening with the heart is reframing what you have just heard. Mary listened with her heart in Luke 2:19. We also should follow her example. Rather than relying on your mind, listening to your heart means figuring out what you feel and going with that. When communicating we are to listen with our heart not just our head, because it might lead us to regret and if we listen to our heart it means we are trying to understand what is being said.
• Ebubechukwu Chinedu
“When one listens with his or her heart there is a personal connection”
Communication is the imparting or exchange of information by speaking, writing or using any other means or medium. When one listens with his or her heart there is a personal connection. It is the inner you. There is a more meditative action in the whole communication which connects people to one another. Thus, God’s desire for us all in this life is to be in relationship with one another, to love one another the way He loves us.
• Victoria Okefe
“Listen and look out for those non-verbal communication, as well as talking less”
Listening with your heart is concentrating on just that thing at the moment with an undivided attention. It entails maintaining your focus, maintain eye contact; listening to the body language, people express how they feel using body movements and facial expression, listen and look out for those non-verbal communication; as well as talking less. We are more concerned on what we are about to say that we don’t listen to what others are saying.
• Nneji Divine
“Be empathic when listening with your heart”
By putting yourself in the same place of the other person. Imagine how they may feel. Listen with your heart when communicating through:
• Listening with your body language.
• Listen carefully to the speaker.
• Do your best to be quiet when listening.
• Listen calmly when you are being spoken to.
• Nneji Chidinma
