How well do you listen?
May safe person or comfort person ka ba? ‘Yung someone na nilalapitan mo if there’s something bothering you—maybe a friend or a family member?
Kaya lalo nating masasabi na it’s really important to have strong and safe relationships with whom we can share pain. Hindi lahat ng tao marunong makinig. Minsan pa, sa halip na makatulong, lalo pang gumugulo kasi they suggest things that are not helpful at all.
Remember this: in safe relationships, we can share our pain and struggles. Basahin natin itong verse sa Bible:
Tulungan ninyo ang isaʼt isa sa mga problema, at sa ganitong paraan ay matutupad ninyo ang kautusan ni Kristo. (Mga Taga-Galacia 6:2 ASD)
Nakikita mo ba? Kapag nagtutulungan tayo sa mga problema, natutupad natin ang kautusan ni Jesus. Kaya mahalaga palang matuto tayong magtulungan kapag may pinagdadaanan tayo. One way to do this is through reflective listening. Simple lang ito: kapag may nagsasabi ng problema sa’yo, you can practice telling back what you hear. You don’t need to offer solutions—just practice reflecting back kung ano ang sinasabi ng kausap mo.
Also, don’t forget what we learned about healthy boundaries: we can only help each other in a way that’s good for both of us as long as we have healthy boundaries in place. Kailangang alam natin kung hanggang saan ang responsibilidad natin.
For example, if a friend is sharing a problem, alam natin kung hanggang saan ang kakayahan natin. Hindi pwedeng kukunin natin ang problema and try to solve it. But we can be a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and maybe help by brainstorming solutions that the other person can try.
This is our challenge for you this week: the next time someone comes to you with a problem, try practicing reflective listening.”
Tandaan mo, isa kang miracle!
