March 2016
Dear Friend,
Spring is arriving here in New England, and it’s my all-time favorite season. I’m an avid gardener, and itching to get planting. Early spring is a time of rebirth, rejuvenation, and all that the metaphor of the garden entails. The soil becomes soft and warm, and new life emerges. I’m grateful for all the spring brings!
Feature Article
What Does “Listening” Really Mean?
When I teach MI, whether it’s a workshop or lecture setting, I emphasize the central concept of listening. The skills involved are simple, but not always easy. In my training in MI, I was taught that there are 2 skills involved, being able to listen, and letting the other person know you that heard. Here I am writing about the ability to listen; really listen to what the other person says and means.
Listening is not just “hearing” the words the other person says. There are many other elements to really getting what they mean. The Chinese characters that make up the verb “to listen” include a number of elements that really tell the story.
- Ear = What you use to listen (hear)
- This is the physical hearing what the other person says.
- King = Pay attention as if the other person were king.
- Really listen, “between the lines”. Can you tell or guess at what the person really means?
- Ten and Eye = Be observant as if you had ten eyes.
- Part of listening is carefully observing the other’s body language and tone of voice.
- One = Listen with individual attention.
- You are paying attention ONLY to the person you are talking to, your client.
- Heart = Listen also with your heart (in addition to ear and eye)
The listening skills are developed with practice. It’s simple but not easy!
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Where is
Dr. Ellen?
- March 28: Lecture at Northeastern University, “Eating Disorders and Motivational Interviewing”, Boston, MA
- April 21: Motivational Interviewing Workshop for the North Dakota Diabetes Summit, Bismark, ND
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Mini-Book Review
by Dr. Ellen Glovsky
Second Wind
by Dr. Bill Thomas
This book really impressed with ideas that are new to me. It discusses the idea that there are three stages of life, childhood, adulthood, and “elderhood”. Our culture worships youth, and as such ignores people as they age. Or worse, people feel that must remain “young” in appearance, attitude and activity. Dr. Thomas’ idea is that the rush, pressure to “be productive”, and to stay young has done a great disservice to people as they age. He believes that older people have much to contribute to society, and that aging is not a death sentence. He outlines a way of living that celebrates aging and avoids trying to stay young. Dr. Thomas is a gerontologist, a doctor who takes care of old people.
To purchase this book on Amazon click here
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