Have you ever heard someone say, “I know this is what you want.”? Or, “I know what you wanted to say”?
My answer 99% of the time: Hell no you don’t (of course I don’t voice it). I dislike this statement because it indicates an utter disregard for listening and hearing in a communication. The assumption that someone need not express themselves or that their word doesn’t count because you already know what they are going to say.
Even more disturbing is when you tell someone your honest truest feeling and they say, “I know you don’t mean that. I know you meant to say something else.” How can you possibly know !!!??????
Look at the word silent – same letters also spell listen. If you really interact with someone to the point of getting them to say something to you, do them the courtesy of listen. And listen with the compassion of attempting to understand.
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