Description

Are you listening, or are you just hearing? This week, Coffee and Cuddles dive deep into the art of active listening. Drawing from her experience as a second-grade teacher, Anna shares how a classroom mishap led to a re-evaluation of how we communicate with one another. From the classroom to the doctor’s office, this episode explores why looking at someone isn't always enough and how we can better "hear" the people in our lives. Plus, stay tuned for Anna’s saga with seasonal allergies and her quest to find a doctor who truly listens.

The Art of Active Listening

• Listening vs. Looking: Just because someone is looking at you doesn't mean they are processing what you’re saying.
• The Classroom Perspective: Anna recounts having to re-teach a lesson because students weren't actively listening during instruction.
• Clarifying Questions: One sign of a good listener is the use of follow-up or clarifying questions to ensure understanding.
• The "Middle" Gap: Missing the middle of a conversation can lead to major disagreements or hurt feelings.

Practical Tips for Focus

• Eyes on the Speaker: Maintaining eye contact is a foundational step in giving someone your full attention.
• Empty Hands: Removing distractions—like pens or rubber bands—helps the brain focus on the speaker.

Body Stillness: Keeping your body still and turning your "voice off" allows your ears to do their job.

Visual Focus: A parent's tip: if a teacher indicates something on a board or paper, your eyes must follow that indicator while your ears listen.

Life Update: The Allergy Saga

• The Raspy Voice: Anna addresses her raspy voice, clarifying it is seasonal allergies, not the flu or strep.
• Doctor-Patient Communication: A discussion on the frustration felt when a doctor seems focused on other patients rather than the one in the room.

"Just looking at somebody doesn't necessarily mean that you're hearing what they're saying." — Anna 

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