It's impossible to read when you are anxious. You can try. But, you will find that while you might be looking at the words and turning the pages, you aren't actually absorbing anything. To read well, you must be both calm and fully-present with the book in front of you.

The same can be said for listening. Many of us think we are good listeners. But, in actuality, we are not. Listening while thinking about something else isn't listening; neither is listening while silently disagreeing nor listening while thinking about what you're going to say after the other person stops talking.

To listen––to truly listen––you must be calm and fully present with the other person. You must suspend judgement and thought while yougenuinely attempt to hear what the other person's is saying. This––this is listening.