Who doesn’t wish their family would listen better? Having someone really deeply listen to us is a basic human need, but one of our weaker western-world skills. But where do we learn to hear each other? Not just listen to each other, plan what we are going to say while the other person is talking-type of listening. Where do we learn to listen with the intent to really understand?
The power of a family circle exists in our honor, history and respect for each other. In these busy times it can often feel on the surface that parents and children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, or extended families are living worlds apart. Usually that feeling just tells us we have fallen into our roles of living together and around each other more than we are listening to each other. Family talking circles are a time and place to open the communication channels. When we start really listening to each other we find solutions more quickly for our struggles, and support for our areas of growth and achievement. Wisdom rises to the surface rather than loud voices, silence, judgment, and power struggles.
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Navigating Change
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Planning
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Seeking closer connections
- You’re caring for aging parents and have been coping with the increasing demands as best as you can. Resentment and different opinions are surfacing between siblings. You could use help communicating your feelings and building a thoughtful process to share the load as more demands emerge.
- You’re an empty-nest couple or new parents and are realizing how you have drifted apart. You could use help getting the two of you talking again.
- Someone in the family is considering a major career transition and are worried about how it will impact your family. You need help sorting through the implications of the decision.
