What constitutes true communication?

In order to really communicate effectively... you must be practiced in the sometimes underrated art of listening. Truly listening to the one who is speaking... and engaging ourselves to truly be present (eye contact is a real added bonus, if not on the phone).

We sometimes want to fast forward the conversation and cut in (Guilty! but working on it), butt in, one up, or rudely dismiss what others are saying as not important ( and the ever present, ill placed “me too!, but”)... which shows absolutely no respect for the other.

People communicate to express themselves, their ideas, passions, their experiences, their agendas, their love and their pain (I could go on... but :-). Some are looking for solutions and some just want to be heard. The gentle art of listening is often an unrealized but basic skill and shows grace. Being a good listener instills trust, that you are genuinely interested, and that you are mature enough to give of yourself to listen to others and truly hear them. There is nothing more quietly infuriating than to speak to someone and not be heard...
I’m sure this phenomenon has to do with ego. lol   ya think?

I had a dear friend visit from South Africa last week, we had a good reunion after 20 years... He wanted to get together after a meeting he had, but I told him I would be finishing a project for the next day... That I would be busy later, and that I would retire early as I had to hit it pretty early in the AM (after all I’m not on vacation yet). He called 3x’ after midnight... Now that might not be a big deal to some... but my first thought was...
Man, he didn’t hear a word I said...   we can still be friends though lololol.