LISTENING WITH EMPATHY.  The fifth and final way to help develop ones listening is to LISTEN WITH EMPATHY.  Empathy is showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another.  One can only walk in ones shoes when your eyes, heart and ears are listening with the intent to comprehend.  Have you every found yourself listening to give an answer, a solution or to simply reply.  You may not agree completely.  Your focus should not be on what you are going to say but to listen to the story.  If you are listening than you will have some emotional feeling for the one who is talking and the conversation.  Ask yourself right now how you would feel if this were happening to me.  This is being thoughtful for family, friends and anyone else.  Listening with Empathy is the thoughtful response to give back in any conversation we have.  Xoxo’s