12/03/2020
Here's a bit about how I learnt to listen and why it is important in my work as a counsellor:
Listening to people is a fundamental part of what I do. It is something that actually began for me a very long time ago. It's woven into the fabric of my fondest childhood memories.
The memories of being read to; stories and tales ,rhymes and poems. From Golem and the temptation of the ring, Lucy and the wardrobe, the lure of the magical Narnia that hid within, moon face up the Faraway Tree, battles that raged, being lost at sea, fantastical lands , too chip and biff with sausages for tea.
I believe sharing stories is a an essential part of being a human. Storytelling has long been a way for us to impart knowledge, to share hardships, to celebrate joy, to open up possibilities for change and to keep feelings alive. Stories have the ability to connect us ,inspire us, scare us, bond us, teach us, divide us or unite us.
The telling of our own stories, when they are listened to, understood and heard can be wonderfully therapeutic. It can provide a sense of relief and unburdening. The process of a story unraveling can help someone make sense of how they feel and what they have experienced . It can make way for new perspectives to develop and parts of yourself that may of been missed or were not valued before, really start to shine through.
Listening to people's stories them is something I am honoured to get the opportunity to do through my work. When a story is heard space for healing suddenly opens up and that's essential to what I do.
