You might worry that these newsletters will arrive in your inbox too often. However, from the first word I typed for Why Don't You Listen Better? to the last, took thirty years and this first email follows the book by nearly two years. I'm not fast, so you have little to worry about. However, if you want off the list, Contant Contact makes it absolutely easy to remove your address, just check below.

The world situation with its crises, financial uncertainty, job insecurity, and unending wars has most Americans in a constant state of unease. This is on top of individual and family pressures. And the holidays are here. We all need a little TLC.
Acknowledging is a basic listening technique that often will reduce stress. To acknowledge use words, tone, and body language that indicates it's okay for the talker to feel or think the way the talker does. It usually takes just a few words and an inviting, bite-your-tongue, patient attitude. "Ah, so you're irritated?" Or, "Mmmm, unhappy about that?" Or, "So the election and the world situation have you down?"
This form of acknowledging is a non-argumentative, non-judgmental acceptance of what the other feels or is trying to say.
Sometimes we just need to have our hurts acknowledged, so we can move on, knowing we're not alone with our pain. Your spouse says, "I'm frustrated. I don't want to go to work tomorrow." It does not help to mention how many bills need to be paid, how thankful one should be for having a job in this economy, or that you have to go work at a rotten job too. A simple acknowledgment may be all that's necessary. Try saying: "Tough day to face, huh? Bet you'd rather go to the beach?" then bite your tongue and listen some more. Acknowledging helps people accept themselves and feel supported in a crazy world. It becomes a foundation of good listening. (From a list of thirty listening techniques in Why Don't We Listen Better?)

For those of you still reading, I have moved all but 40 copies out of 3700 of my Why book. I'm really excited to get good listening skill training into quite a few hands and I hope, hearts. It is a way to apply love in the way we treat each other. The book is being used by individuals, couples, families, counselors, teachers, pastors, churches, colleges and a seminary. A publisher in Oakland wants a version of the book targeted toward couples. This means dropping a few chapters, writing some new ones, editing and creating learning guides at the end of each chapter.