Dying To Be Heard

It is widely accepted that hearing is the last thing to go before a person dies.  In my family, it is also widely accepted that I am a bit bossy.  When my father was on his deathbed and it appeared as if he may linger a few more days, I turned to him and brusquely said “Dad, I’m leaving in a few minutes.  It’s time to get this show on the road.  You need to get to the other side – NOW.”  A few minutes later, with a smile on his face, dad took his last breath.

My sister in law looked at me with widened eyes and remarked “Wow…..well, he always did listen to you.”  We still talk about how strange that scenario was.  Was he waiting for me to tell him what to do?  Did he really hear me?  And how is it that a man who, when alive, was so deaf that I had to scream at him could actually hear that command?

Hearing impairment was not only my dad’s issue but one I struggled with as well.  As a child, I suffered with breathing issues and chronic ear infections.  I even needed to get my tonsils removed twice.  Yes, you read that right.  Twice.  They grew back.  (It’s a rare condition but it happens.)  I had tubes in my ears and needed continuous hearing tests throughout my childhood.  I hated that little “ringing” machine the audiologist used.  And I felt embarrassed that I always had to sit in the front of the classroom.  (Sitting up there is never considered “cool”.)

But an odd  and beautiful thing came out of my disability.  I learned to really listen to people. In fact, I have to pay careful attention to someone when they are speaking to me.  I watch a person’s mouth to make sure I completely understand what they are saying.   I am observant to inflection and tone as sometimes people don’t say what they really mean.

Many people who come into my office tell me that they like visiting with me because no one else listens to them.  And that is why they seek out the services of a tarot reader like myself.  It’s because I lend an ear and give them room to speak.  I actually take the time to “hear” what they are really saying and let them know that their words are important.

I do this without judgement or planning the next thing I am going to say.  When they are in my presence, I am simply here, holding a sacred space for them.  For those who are starving to be heard, this is priceless.

Now imagine how your relationships would transform if you took the time to really listen.   How do you think your loved ones would feel if you made space for them to talk openly and honestly with you? Or will you wait until you are on your deathbed to finally hear their words?  Let’s not put off what we can do today.  Be truly present.  Listen.

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ~ Epictetus

Blessings!

Theresa

https://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

thanks to taoxproductions for the image