May / June 2008
The View from Birch Corner
Aligning Purpose, Passion and Performance through Coaching
In This Issue
Listening to Hear
Direct Help for People in Burma
How to Improve Your Listening Skills
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Greetings!

Listening is a critical skill, if we really want to hear another person.  In her Fifth Agreement Marian Head coaches us to listen with our hearts.  We also share an exercise from Melisa Pearce that helps develop the skills of listening.

 

Since the cyclone hit Myamar (Burma) we have asked, as have many of you, what can we do?  Our friends Bill, Pam and Steve have traveled to Burma many times, have personal friends there and are able to get aid directly to people who need it.  Read more below.

 

Finally, be sure to check out the Spring 2008 edition of Revolutionary News (click on the link in the red box at the left).  Marian Head has graciously featured us in her Success column.  Also, her newsletter has a beautiful media presentation of the Agreements.  Enjoy. 

Yours in new beginnings,

Peggy and Bob MacArthur
 

Listening to Hear

 Bob MacArthur
 
How do you answer this question:  What is the difference between listening and hearing?  The two are closely related.   For me "listening" is the act of paying attention to the words of another.  "Hearing" occurs when I connect to the meaning behind the words. 
 
In her book, Revolutionary Agreements, Marian Head captures the distinction in the wording of her Fifth Agreement: I agree to listen with my heart. (1)  When we listen with our heart, we tune in to the resonance that inspired the speaker's words in the first place.  It's as though the words are vessels to transmit vibrations.  We listen to them through the amplifier of our heart, in order to hear the message behind them. 
 
How can we learn to listen better in order to hear more effectively?
 (1)  This is the sixth article in a series that highlights the Revolutionary Agreements by Marian Head.  For more information go to her web site at www.revolutionaryagreements.com.  Also click on the Newsletter Archives button on this page to read previous articles about the Agreements.

How You Can Help with Direct Aid for Myamar / Burma Cyclone Relief
 
Bill Proudman, Pam Shelly, Steve Proudman  
 
We're asking for your financial help with the current Burmese crisis caused by Cyclone Nargis.  We are acting because of personal connections we have made in our travels to SE Asia.
 
We are reaching out to assist our friends who asked us to help them.   We have made a great contact with Partnership for Change and they are going to collect our funds under their NGO status.  No overhead means
all the funds will go directly to a Burmese led grassroot effort for relief.
 
We personally know Myat Thu and have complete assurance that these funds will go where intended.  
 
 
To improve your listening skills,
 try this exercise. [1] 

With a trusted partner agree to set aside 10 minutes each day face to face or on the phone. 
 
Each session one person asks the questions below and listens as the other person answers. 
 
The listener can only respond, "OK," "Thanks," or "Are you complete?"  The next day switch roles. 
 
Continue alternating roles each day for 2-3 weeks asking the same questions.

Click here for your list of questions

[1] Thanks to Melisa Pearce for this exercise and these questions.
 
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