Listen

Of the 5 most obvious senses we enjoy it is sight that concerns us most. The ability to see most nearly defines us. After that comes hearing leaving touch, taste and smell to bring up the rear.

Hear is defined by the OED as being aware of sounds with your ears

Listen is separately defined as paying attention to something that can be heard.

In those two definitions rests my entire thesis but I shall seek to expand my theme.

Absent profound deafness we all hear. Voices, music, TV, films, nature, explosions, vehicles, radio, conversations and so on and so on.

What we do not automatically do is comprehend what we hear. Much that is heard is simply dismissed as noise that is generally ignored and only intermittently absorbed and acted upon.

To listen is explicitly different. As and when we actually listen we have to concentrate upon what we hear in order to understand and, if necessary, act upon.

There are those who never listen and go through life only half alive. There are others who listen often and intently, experiencing a wider range of activity, effect and outcome.

Which are you?

Most of us tend to hear first and listen second. Who amongst us chooses to listen to politicians, celebrities, demagogues, snake oil salesmen and the like? We hear them, indeed it is difficult not to but do we really listen to them? I doubt it.

Some are specifically trained to listen. Medical practitioners, lawyers, pilots, professionals generally and those with specific skills which cannot be exercised without the ability to listen carefully.

Of course they do not always do so. They are only human.

Listening is equally important in the wider world of nature. Fight or flight works for animals as well and the next meal might well depend on it.

It is probably fair to observe that between couples the art of listening can be intermittent at best. Many a time and oft will one of the pair fall foul of hearing only and be subject to deserved contumely. Me, for example. But I am not alone.

There is safety in listening throughout our lives. Hearing alone doesn’t always cut it. Crossing a road, ignoring or misunderstanding instructions at work or leisure, playing the wrong note, saying yes when you meant no and much else besides. Peril and embarrassment can be avoided by judicious listening.

It is said that listeners hear no good of themselves but perhaps it is more accurate to believe that listeners derive more benefit from listening than merely hearing. There is much in this world that only deserves hearing and those with the ability to choose whether to hear or to listen will certainly derive the most benefit.

Here endeth the lesson and if you take nothing else from this dissertation, take this – listen more. You know it makes sense.