This is an article response to " 8 Ways To Be A Good Person, Even When You Really Don't Want To Be."
Being a good person can be difficult, we are thrown a lot in life that challenges us to make the best decisions possible and act in a way that supports our morals. There are a lot of qualities that make a person, "good" but there is one specific quality that goes above and beyond. This quality is the art of listening and asking questions.
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Whether it is a friendship, romantic relationship, or family tie, look for the key quality of listening and asking questions. In this world, we are self sabotaged by our phones. It does not require a lot of effort and we can easily access hundreds of pictures, texts, and other media footage in a matter of minutes. We are overly stimulated and overly anxious. We have short attention spans and ears that lack the true hearing of words. Words slide through are ears and exit like the wind, quick and there for a moment, easily forgotten. It takes a lot to actively listen. One could say it is even a workout. To fully understand what is being processed requires an ear and active listening. When we active listen, this naturally allows us to ask better questions with more insight.
Asking the right questions is important. Questions can dictate how the conversation will flow, the connection between two people, the comfortability of the conversation and much more. The more I seem to pay attention and ask the right questions, the better the conversation for both parties. I love seeing the reaction of the person when I ask questions and genuinely want to know what they have to say. Their eyes get a little bigger, and they perk up a little more. I think most people are refreshed when I ask diverse questions and ones that challenge the ordinary way of thinking. Instead of the usual response of "yeah" or "thats cool" think of something different. It can be challenging to think of a different response, but the more you do it, the better and easier it gets.
When a person sees you care, they naturally will trust you more and open up. There is a gift to listening. It takes time, understanding, and not being in a rush to speak as soon as the other person finishes talking. They take a moment, and think about what was just said. We are in such a rush to get words out, but there can be beauty in a few moments of silence to reset the brain and give a thoughtful rest to the conversation.
