We should listen to others,

Openly, with a good heart.

We should indeed even listen to what they don’t say.

Prepared to hear both praise, and criticism.

But we cannot listen without filters.

We should not be judgemental in a condemning way,

However we must listen critically, understanding of where things are coming from,

Assessing viewpoints, hidden agendas, and not giving undue weight to the input of others.

When we do so, when we are overly concerned with those negative voices,

We end up giving away our power to them. They become like energy leeches, sapping us of our inner strength.

Be aware, and don’t give away your power.