People Want to Be Heard

I heard news recently about how
Billy Ray Cyrus is saying things
that many consider negative and
controversial about his daughter
and the show she was on.

Since I don't know what has
happened behind closed doors,
I obviously cannot speak to
what is truly going on, however
it made me wonder if Billy Ray
is feeling like his concerns
and thoughts are being heard.

Often when someone feels that
s/he isn't heard, that person
will draw more attention to
themselves, but not necessarily
in a positive way. I don't
know if it's our inner child,
or something else, but most
know how children get when
someone they want to pay
attention to them, doesn't.

Interestingly, just because
someone hears words being
said doesn't mean that they
were truly HEARD. There is
an art to truly listening to
a person, and most people
will know if you're just
acting like you care or if
you really do.

Sometimes, though, there
are also times in which
you do really listen, but
there is something left
unsaid by the person who
is being persistent. So,
while you are fulfilling
what you think s/he needs,
there is still something
lacking.

It takes awareness and
patience to be able to
sort through the layers
of things sometimes, but
it can be sooo worth it,
especially when you are
on the receiving end of
someone doing that for
you.

So...the next time someone
is more persistent than
seems to make sense,
consider that there may
be something that s/he
hasn't felt heard about,
and see what you can do
to discover what that
might be, and even better
still see if there might
be something you can do
about it. There may be
nothing, but a person
who feels you really heard
them will likely appreciate
your efforts. Just realize
that many times things just
need an outlet, and don't
necessarily need to be
"fixed."

Alternatively, if you try
to ignore it, it will likely
make the situation worse, as
the more something is denied,
the louder it will likely roar.