[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.3″ custom_padding=”||3px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.3″]<\/p>\n
My journey to become part of the Listening Courageously movement all started with a simple Google search. As a volunteer Program Director for a weekly women\u2019s group, I am always planning new topics for our weekly discussions. As 2020 has been a year of hurt and division, I knew that as a group, we needed to talk about Courageous Conversations; what they are, how to have them and why they are so important. I typed \u201cSpeaking and Listening Courageously\u201d into the search bar and let Google work its magic. The \u201cListening Courageously\u201d website popped up in the search results and I clicked the link to see what it was all about. What I found was an award-winning film, a transformative workshop and a new way of connecting with others. I watched the film\u2019s trailer with great intrigue and was moved to tears by the end.<\/p>\n
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<\/span><\/p>\n I saw how the act of empathic listening between the film\u2019s participants helped them to understand each other and began the heal the divides that existed between them. I knew that the women in my weekly group would love the movement\u2019s message and want to get involved. I had to watch the full film and learn more about what it meant to \u201clisten courageously\u201d. Through my discussions with filmmaker and workshop creatorJuliana Tafur, I learned that the key to listening courageously is human connection and empathy. The goal of the movement is not to make sure people agree with each other on an issue, but to invite them to connect with each other on a human level and understand the passion behind their beliefs.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/listencourageously.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frame-59.jpg” _builder_version=”4.4.3″ width=”58%” module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.3″]<\/p>\n As a student of Addictions and Mental Health, this reminded me of a key teaching in therapeutic treatment: rather than simply addressing the easily identified symptoms of mental illness (depressive episodes, lack of emotional regulation, etc.) we need to delve deeper to address some of the root causes (fear, trauma, lack of connection). Rather than focusing on the issue itself we need to find connection with others on a deeper level to foster empathic conversations. Before we can discuss issues, we need to heal the anger we feel towards other groups in order to find a path forward. This is the true goal of Listen Courageously. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/listencourageously.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frame-63.jpg” _builder_version=”4.4.3″ width=”58%” module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.3″]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n It is my hope that by sharing this message with different communities and spreading the word about this necessary work that people will start listening to understand each other. They will realize that having a contrasting view to someone else doesn\u2019t make them enemies, but two sides of the same coin. By listening courageously, we can begin to heal the hurt and disconnect we\u2019re experiencing to find hope and unity.<\/p>\n I can\u2019t wait to see where Listening Courageously will go and how it will impact the world. It is a movement brimming with opportunities. All it requires is active and willing participants who wish to learn the transformative power of empathic listening.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.3″ custom_margin=”||14px|||”]<\/p>\n Article written by Emilie Mossman <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.3″ hover_enabled=”0″ custom_margin=”||17px|||”]<\/p>\n After Emilie’s first\u00a0interest in the Listen Courageously movement, she has begun collaborating with our outreach and social\u00a0media efforts.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" My journey to become part of the Listening Courageously movement all started with a simple Google search. As a volunteer Program Director for a weekly women\u2019s group, I am always planning new topics for our weekly discussions. As 2020 has been a year of hurt and division, I knew that as a group, we needed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1139,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1080","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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