“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” ~ Ram Dass

Listening is a skill that we should be born with, but in reality, we have to learn it over and over again. It’s very easy to become caught up in becoming that person that does all the talking — many of us have jobs that demand it.

Have you wondered what might happen if you sat back and did all the listening, though?



I want you to focus on becoming more aware of the sounds that fill our environment. Even just mentioning this, I tuned into the soft sound of the water falling from the fountain, the low hum of the traffic in the distance… lots of things I’d normally tune out. We’ll start with a focused exercise that will make it easier to apply these skills to everyday life.

To start this exercise, choose a piece of music you’ve never heard. Don’t hold any biases you may have about the artist or genre — this is about non-judgmental observation.

Put on your earbuds and begin to listen to the music — notice the nuances in the rhythm, the different underlying beats, the sound of the singer’s voice (if there is one).

Don’t judge the lyrics or content — just feel the music. It will become an almost visceral experience the further you get into it. A sort of meditation, if you will.

Do this a few times with different music until you feel you’ve really got the hang of it, then start to apply it to other situations. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ve been missing when you stop to really listen to the world around you.

About the Author

Devin C. Hughes is a speaker, writer & storyteller from Washington D.C. who now lives in Southern CA. He is the author of five books. He is currently traveling the world with a mission to help people change their lifestyle for good. Join his email list for more inspiring stories, exciting new research and actionable advice to redesign your lifestyle for happiness and success.

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