Interpersonal relationships are hard. They can be challenging at work, with a spouse, or with family.
In my experience, the most common problem is that people listen with the intent to speak rather than to understand. The reasons are many—ranging from insecurities that force us to wear a mask, to emotional states that block genuine communication. Instead of speaking with one another, we often speak at one another.
One quality I strive to embody in every conversation is listening with my whole being—to truly feel the other person rather than merely hear them. In that state of presence, I reflect back what I sense, echoing sentiments like “I feel you feeling me” or “You feel me feeling you.” I trust that when I speak, the other person senses my sincerity, and vice versa.
This is where real breakthroughs occur. Radical truth emerges, and relationships are strengthened on a foundation of compassion and truly seeing one another for who we are. It is here that the true power of relationships unfolds—a depth that remains inaccessible to most.