Selective Hearing - A true Art

I am getting better at something and thought it was worth sharing. It is pertaining to the use of a particular sense organ efficiently. EARS…Listen through one and let go of the unimportant stuff through the other:)

All through our lives, we have, sometime or the other, listened to people around us. Our Parents, relatives, teachers, friends, colleagues, strangers… you name it! We have heard it all. We are compelled to hear to some and we are left with a choice for the rest.

Everyone is entitled to his or her opinions and if they decide to go public with them, so be it. One can listen with patience only when they are not judgmental or quick to reach to conclusions. Take in everything as a whole, sort out the important and less important and then by the power vested by Thee, use your ears and years wisely:) Selective Hearing is the term coined for this behaviour. 

I am not a good listener. It’s a flaw and I am still on the path to rectify it. My mother is an exemplary example and she has mastered the art of taking in what matters. Being amongst eccentric people all her life, she has learnt to stay calm in the most adverse situations. (Family Medical emergencies don’t count here as she is anything but Calm:) You know the saying, a doctor at home…blah blah blah…Sorry Mom! Luv you loads!)). I did not realize this when I was young and would often question why she doesn’t react. It is only now that I understand that there is a science behind it. No wonder she is a doctor and I am not:) 

Professionally, if you are being judged and there are remarks floating around you, there are 2 choices you have. You stand up and explain yourself or you let the work speak for itself. Justification is not always the right means to clear the air. Earlier, negative remarks would nearly kill me, there will a feeling from within to scream out loud and clarify my stand and how everyone is wrong! Especially if the remarks are conveyed directly to me and are not hearsay! But I have outgrown that phase. I am turning a new leaf and looking up to my mom for tips and tricks:) I don’t react to situations explicitly and try to bring in relevance to demarcate between what I should take in and let out.

“Why don’t you…?” Most common phrase that you will get to hear! This is where your ears take the spotlight and the rest is already history. You accuse others of being judgmental and preachy but by explaining yourself, you add to the commotion. Scrutiny should be done from within.

Mind you, this art should be put into use at a stage of one’s life where they can differentiate right from wrong and can take a decision on their own. It is pretty convenient to misuse this and one may lose out on learning’s if they do so. It is not to ignore negative feedback for starters. It is to keep negativity at bay! There is a huge difference between the two. Criticism is not in question here. It is the reason and logic behind it that should get people thinking and then choose to put the art in action.

Negativity will always surround you, but it is your reaction to it that sets you apart! Ignore it and you will feel a calm within you that makes it all worthwhile. Am I right?