“This is a sponsored post on behalf of ProjectListen.com, Ken Garff and Mom It Forward. All opinions are my own.”
In this world of rush, rush, rush. This world of looking at our phones or devices instead of the people around us. This world of texting, instant messaging and emails. The art of listening is slowly getting lost. I am a youth leader in my church, and it amazes me that the kids just can’t look away from their phones during activities and lessons. With my own kids at home we have this problem too.
Today I’m sharing an amazing project with you called #ProjectListen. You can visit the Project Listen website here and see series of films dedicated to the belief that listening is more than what we do—it’s central to who we are.
I know you have had an experience where you were talking to someone and they were looking at their phone the whole time. How did that make you feel? Did that make you want to make sure you never did that to anyone else. Did it make you feel like they didn’t care about what you were saying. Did you feel like they were really listening?
My mother was raised by a Victorian era grandmother and mother. They were taught old fashioned manners and my mom passed those on to me. One thing I learned from my grandmother and mother was to look at the person who was talking to you. I was a shy little girl and that was so hard for me. To look someone in the eye. I practiced on my teachers. I would force myself to look at them when they were teaching me, and soon I realized that I got so much more out of the lessons that were being taught.
We listen with our eyes. We listen with our hearts. We listen with our ears. All three of these need to work together to really get everything out of every conversation that we have with those important people around us. I dare say our ears are the least important tool for truly listening to our loved ones.
Ken Garff Auto has shared this amazing video with us about six brothers. Three of whom are deaf. In this video the brothers explain how they listen to others, how they view the world and how whey actually love being deaf. They share with us how they learned to listen with open eyes and open hearts. I cried when I watched this video. It brought back great memories of my deaf friends I had in school. I love this families perspective on their disability. I love the strong bond they have with those around them. They are very active and live life to the fullest.
Take a few minutes and watch the video and let me know your feelings about this video in a comment on this post. You can watch it on YouTube and the Project Listen website also.
I am taking a challenge that I heard on a radio station a few days ago, will you join me? There is a man who did an experiment with his phone. Every time he was around other people, his phone never came out of his pocket. This included his family. He made eye contact with the person he was talking to. He started realizing that they would put their phones away if he didn’t have his out. People were subconsciously realizing that he was actually listening to them and that he deserved their undivided attention too. I’m going to take on this challenge for myself along with teaching my children to put away their devices when they are talking with friends. We already have a rule that they can’t play on their devices when their friends are over. It really bugs me when I see a group of kids sitting outside against a wall, all looking down at their devices playing separate games. How is that even fun? I don’t get it. I refuse to let my kids act like that with their friends. So who’s with me?
Why is Ken Garff Auto all about listening? Ken Garff Auto believe listening is much more than creating a great customer service experience or building a great brand or company. They believe listening is the power to understand, relate and to feel. They believe listening is about connection. Ken Garff’s motto is “We Hear You”. They believe in the power of listening to change lives. Listening is a conviction for Ken Garff Auto. I think it’s amazing that Ken Garff Auto would spend time and resources to create this amazing project that will benefit so many. Thanks Ken Garff!
Follow Ken Garff on Facebook and Twitter to get more content about listening and future up-lifting stories.
What are your impressions of the Featherstone boys and what are you going to change in your life so you can become a better listener?
I love this!! I think we all need to practice more listening by putting our phones away!
Amazing. We are so focused on technology and what we see and hear. But those brothers? Words can’t express my admiration. And I absolutely love your challenge! I’m absolutely participating. Thank you so much for sharing.
What a great video and idea! I am starting tomorrow…any time I’m around anyone my phone will be put away. Thanks for sharing
Great information! It is so true. These days we are way to addicted to technology. I am with you about being in social settings, church settings, even with your spouse at dinner that there should be a no technology rule. I’m pretty shy and anti-social myself, but I realize it is only common courtesy and a way to build the relationships that are most important to you when you set the phone down and focus on what is really important.