LISTEN

Below is a poem we felt was appropriate to share and reflect on in during the process of better supporting and understanding the kids we interact with.  

(Author is anonymous)

When I ask you to listen to me

and you start giving advice, 

you have not done what I asked.

When I ask you to listen to me

and you begin to tell me why I shouldn't feel that way,

you are trampling on my feelings.

When I ask you to listen to me

and you feel you have to do something to solve my problem,

you have failed me, strange as that may seem.

Listen! All I asked, was that you listen.

not to talk or do - just hear me.

When you accept as a simple fact that I do feel what I feel, 

no mater how irrational, then I can quit trying to convince you 

and get about the business of understanding

what's behind this feeling.

And when that's clear, the answers are obvious and I don't need advice.

Feelings make sense when we understand what's behind them.

So, please, listen and just hear me. And if you want to talk, 

wait a minute for your turn and I'll listen to you.