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Your Life is Your Story, Issue #217 – Listen Up and Listen Well
October 19, 2024
Greetings

"Your past is your story up to now. The future is the story yet to come. The present is where you live with that experience, your hopes and your dreams."



Your Life is Your Story Newsletter

October 19, 2024
Your Life is Your Story, Issue #217 – Listen Up and Listen Well

From Tom Gilbert – Editor and Writer, www.your-life-your-story.com

In this Issue:
Opening remarks: Hard Hitting Hurricanes
Featured Article – Listen Up and Listen Well
Featured Resource – French Twist Memoir Free Download

Opening Remarks: Hard Hitting Hurricanes

Clearly hurricane season is hitting hard this year.

But that has been the case for the past few years. Climate change is demonstrating that as the oceans warm the severity of storms is increasing.

Unfortunately for Florida two hard hitting hurricanes swept across the state in the span of a couple of weeks. It will take some time for recovery efforts from both Helene and Milton.

Sadly one of the places that was devastated was the home office of GRAND Magazine. GRAND Magazine has been a trusted source for grandparents for over 20 years, celebrating and supporting the unique joys and challenges of multi-generational relationships. And it is a family run publication now faced with the immense challenge of rebuilding from the ground up. There is now a Go Fund Me account if you are able to help out.

Thank you so much for being part of the Your Life Is Your Story community. Thanks to all our subscribers. I hope you enjoy this month’s issue.

You are receiving this e-zine because you signed up for it or someone who is subscribed passed it along to you. If a friend DID forward this to you consider subscribing by visiting our signup page . Also, let me know what you’d like to see more of in this newsletter – simply reply to this email e-zine.

– Tom

Featured Article: Listen Up and Listen Well

The Art of Listening

Does anybody really listen anymore?

As a personal historian, writer and teacher I am constantly engaged in conversations, life lessons and talks about life. But I am concerned these days how so few people seem to be really listening.

Granted, there is a lot of noise in our lives. We are bombarded with messages from sunup to sundown – and beyond!

Everybody talks, but who really listens? And if they are listening, how actively are they in this process of communication? I am worried that the art of listening has become a lost art.

Listening Is an Art

Listening is an art, a skill that goes beyond mere hearing.

Have you ever wondered why some people can effortlessly engage an audience with their stories? It's because they've mastered "the art of listening," both to others and themselves.

When we talk about sharing life stories, understanding and truly hearing what someone means, what their real message is, can create a bridge to the heart of others.

What is the art of listening?

If listening is an art then just what does that mean? Experts refer to things like active listening. This implies that listening is not a passive process. Good listeners are actively listening, not simply “hearing”.

If you are going to be a good listener then it helps to understand the 4 elements of listening: receiving, understanding, evaluating, and responding.

When you engage with these four stages the person talking to you knows you're really there with them. Understanding, evaluating and responding require some work on the part of the listener. Did you understand what was said? Can you repeat it back to the speaker in an empathetic and sincere manner?

Body language cues like good eye contact and nodding your head help show that you are receiving the message.

What are some of the hindrances to this communication?

Continue reading this article at here.

Featured Resource: BookSirens Reader Reviews

The amazing memoir, French Twist–A Tale of Travel, Testing and Triumph, continues to receive rave reviews on Amazon, all so far are 4 and 5 stars. I was very privileged to write this story of Janine Winters, a strong and independent woman who has lived through many challenges and traveled various countries in her very full life.

Starting Tuesday, October 16, 2024 and continuing for five days you can download the Kindle version of this memoir on Amazon for free. That’s right, $0 Kindle download as we promote this story. It is our hopes that more readers will discover this story and tell others about it,

Find out more about Janine Winters and her memoir, French Twist–A Tale of Travel, Testing and Triumph here. Thank you in advance for your interest.

The book is currently available for sale on Amazon as well as Barnes and Noble and other book sites.

Closing Information

That’s it for this month’s issue. Thanks for reading. Here’s to telling your story. Do give it some serious consideration because I just know you’ve got a great story to tell! Be sure to see the Get Started section.

Any comments, ideas or feedback is greatly appreciated. Just reply to this ‘zine and tell me what you think!

Until next time, – keep your story alive!

Tom Gilbert

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