I was vaccinated with a Victrola needle! I’ve always been very verbal and very chatty!  I’ve gone through my entire life having a sense that I was never being listened to. I wasn’t feeling validated. It took me a long time to realize that this feeling was coming from me internally, and not from other people. When you grow up this way, you end up presenting yourself in a way that basically says “I’m not worth listening to.” The most important lesson you can learn is that there is work for you to do on yourself to step into a place where you can be heard and validated.

I was not a good listener at a point in my life. I wanted to show up as my best self, but I couldn’t because I wasn’t a good listener. I still have times where I am not a good listener. Years ago when I decided to do the work I needed to on myself, I went to a 12 step program. I learned to listen because I had no choice.

4 Things to Remember About Listening:

1. It gives you a chance to practice patience.
2. It teaches you about compassion.
3. It gives you the ability to compromise.
4. It will help you learn.