Reading: Fifth Principle - Active and Attentive Listening

FIFTH PRINCIPLE - ACTIVE AND ATTENTIVE LISTENING

Active and Attentive Listening.
Don't interrupt. This will mean that you are very aware to not be talking and paying attention to what your spouse is saying. Always let the speaker finish his/her statement before trying to reply.
Ask questions throughout a conversation. If you ask, your spouse will know you are listening to what they are saying. Be careful not to ask too many questions, though 3-6 is a reasonable number.
Please try to give some acknowledgements from time to time such as "Aha”, "Yes”, "I know”, or "I understand.”  You can even start to summarize with your own words what you understand.
Keep eye contact. Face your spouse and watch them in the eye. Your spouse will feel appreciated and respected. (Cell phone as a no-no example).

SOLER
Let's use an acronym for simplicity and for memory sake in terms of active and attentive listening.
S-----Squarely face the person
O-----Open your posture
L-----Lean towards the sender
E-----Eye contact maintained
R-----Relax while attending

Listening
The Bible has some powerful statements to say about listening as well.
Proverbs 18:13  
"If one gives an answer before he hears; it is his folly and shame.”
James l:19
    "Know this, my beloved brethren, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.”

Listening
There is a saying that goes:
"We are given two ears, but only one mouth. This is because God knew that listening was twice as hard as talking.”