Just Listen

Sometimes people tell me their problems and I don’t know what to say. I want to fix everything for them. I want to give good advice and solve all their problems. But as it turns out, I’m just a kid and I haven’t learned how to solve very many problems yet.

When I don’t have answers I wonder why people tell me their problems in the first place. A friend tells me about trouble with her husband. I listen. I sympathize. I encourage. But I don’t solve her problem. Another friend tells me about trouble with her kids. I don’t even have kids but I listen, and sympathize, and encourage anyway but still solve no problems.

The other day Mr. Husband was telling me about a problem at work. It was a complicated thing—something to do with reading through 100’s of pages of blueprints and specs trying to find an answer. He was getting frustrated and I was getting confused. He knew I knew nothing of what he was talking about. I don’t read blueprints and I don’t solve aerospace conundrums. But he told me all about his problem anyway and I sat and listened anyway.

And that’s when it occurred to me: He doesn’t care if I solve his problem; he just wants me to listen. Of course I have no answers. Of course he will still have to figure this problem out on his own. But sometimes it helps just to talk things through. Sometimes you find the answer you’re looking for just by talking through a problem out loud.

So now I see when my friends tell me their troubles, they aren’t necessarily looking for answers. Maybe they’re just looking to be heard and understood. Maybe they just need to talk through a problem out loud. Maybe they just need to know they aren’t alone and when they need to talk they have someone who will listen.

I’m learning to be that person who will simply listen. I may not have answers but I have two ears, and sometimes, two ears are the only answer anyone needs.

11 thoughts on “Just Listen”

People come to you for your compassion and your gift of listening. Not many people are good listeners. Most of us do not have the patience to sit and listen to be there to hold a hand, to pray, to just be there. You are a gift to many and many here as your gift of listening is accompanied by a gift of writing. I am blessed in knowing you. DAF

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Throughout my marriage when I would just talk on and on to my husband about stuff he would feel compelled to advise and solve the problem. That frustrated me. We both began to realize that I don’t need a solution. I just need a listener. It was kind of funny when he started saying “Do you want me to solve the problem or just listen?” I would say “Just listen.” I learned to do that with others as I found myself so many times trying to solve things for them. Listening totally works.

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Yep! Listening is a validation that the other person’s problems are real and worthy of your time. Giving that gift of time/listening is probably the best thing you can do.

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Hey, Kari… You’ve figured it out. A lot of people don’t. An ear to listen, maybe a shoulder to cry on, just a friend to talk with, a little comfort, a laugh. Who knows… maybe all the questions in the Aerospace will be answered too.

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You are wise indeed. We were given two ears but only one mouth. We all should listen more.
As a personal trainer and a caregiver – I have learned…the hard way…that quite often listening is all that’s required.
Doug

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very well written advice for us:) thanks

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You are a good listener and wish I had that skill let alone patience at times:) Happy Tuesday!

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You may not have all the answers but you are WISE! What people most often need is someone who is willing to listen.

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Good advice for all of us.

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Very well put so often when one is looking to just be heard they cannot find anyone willing to just LISTEN, we all need those willing ears sometimes, and in turn should be willing to be the listener.

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