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How XBOX 360 Call of Duty MW3 Helped Me Be A Better Listener
By realizing the extent to which I wasn't listening.
I came to terms with the idea that my husband likes to play XBOX 360. I resisted this for a long time and finally accepted that it’s something he enjoys. He often tries to tell me about a game he played and the assorted details - and I listen. Well, actually, I really don’t listen.
We were having dinner at our favorite restaurant last week and my husband was talking to me about a game he played earlier that day. His enthusiasm was palpable and I was, to be truthful, totally uninterested in what he was saying. I sat there, sipping my wine and pretending to listen. You know, an occasional head nod and “um-hum” that we seem to think passes as listening. As I’m pretending to listen the voices in my head are saying, “You are a hypocrite…you preach that if you are really listening to another and being curious there isn’t any topic you won’t find interesting.” So, I said, “Honey, I want to apologize to you. I’m not really listening to you and I’m sorry.” He said, “It’s no big deal, it’s not like it’s an important topic, it’s just about a game.” I said, “That may very well be. And, I love you and this is something you enjoy and so it’s not who I want to be to disregard something that brings you enjoyment.” In that moment, I committed myself to listening with intention to what he had to say and that is when things got really fascinating.
