The Difference Between Listening and Hearing

Sound. Noise. Speech. Song.

These are all things that those of us who can either hear, read, or both process in our brains either using spoken word, written word, braile word or hand signs. Why include things that are obviously not sound related? Because even those without ears "hear" words, just differently from those with hearing.

To "hear" something, our brains take in information and process the words or sounds into something the mind can make sense of. We hear a variety of sounds and words every single day. Sometimes in a song. Sometimes in a hand sign. But are you truly hearing or is it just noise that you like the sound of. Do you process the things you hear?

The process of hearing and then using what you hear to take action is listening. Listening means you have registered, processed and taken action with everything you heard. A good example is when you hear a song that brings up memories because the words invoked those memories. The action doesn't have to be a grand movement or gesture. It can be simply crying in response to a sad announcement. It can be speaking out when injustice occurs. It can be knowing how to provide the right support for various situations.

There is a large difference between listening and hearing. Growing up, I fought with my parents just like any kid when I had things I wanted to do but the answer was a sound "NO". I was hearing what they were saying, but not listening. If I had known the difference, truly understood why my parents would get upset with me, there would have been less conflict. My parents are wonderful people. Fair in their judgment and did the best job they could with me. I was very stubborn and hard headed as a kid. This trait carried over to my adulthood. At 40, I now know the difference between hearing and listening. Have you ever felt that way? Maybe with a friend, coworker, family member? That feeling like you are shouting down the Berlin Wall and the wall just stays there because the other person you are trying to talk to isn't listening? Words, written or spoken or signed, have meaning only if we listen. It's an important concept to hang on to.

How does my experience apply to this in a spiritual sense? Going to church is one way we gain a chance to listen and act on the words we hear. People, myself included, attend for different reasons. For some people, worshipping outside of a church is how they listen to words of the Divine. You might hear a message given by a minister or reverend, but you choose not to act on the words. Maybe the words push you to feel energized and excited. It all depends on how you "listen" to what is said. Are you open to it? Being open to listening, like any gift we are given, comes with responsibility to have a care on what we say and do in response. 

What brought on this philosophical moment? Our Daily Word today was Understanding. Understaning comes when a revelation (those spoken and written words) is given and we then listen to the information. When we do this, we come to understand one another and what the Divine is intedning for us. We should listen carefully. The Divine Father/Mother gave us free will to choose.

So will you choose to just hear? Or will you listen?