Relationships - Listening Skills are Key to a Good Relationship

Have you ever wondered how important is listening in a happy relationship?

I think that listening is an act of love. I believe that it is a gift to a partner who counts on you as a trusted confidant and as a gentle and loving source of feedback. You may become vulnerable to the truth of your partner's life, and you will know full well that what you hear may require change, share burdens and require you to reorder priorities.

Listening is important because:

- Listening is an act of caring. It is a sacrifice of time and attention and a conscious effort to join together in unity. Through listening, emotional intimacy is nurtured and true support and sustenance are exchanged.

- It shows a willingness to engage in a reciprocal relationship where you allow your thoughts, feelings and decisions to be open to influence and persuasion. It openly demonstrates equality in the marriage. It shows the recognition that accommodation to the other's needs and negotiations are essential to resolving differences.

- Listening communicates a willingness to learn about your partner's needs and feelings. If you want to really know what those needs are, listening is the first step to meeting those needs. Without empathic listening, we may miss the mark in meeting a spouse's most important emotional needs.

When communicating with your spouse/significant other, listening is an act of love.