The Art of Listening

Because I can hear I think I am listening.  At times that has been far from the truth.  In general men have more of a problem with this than woman.  Since listening is an aspect of empathy which men in general aren't taught.  I know I can get so caught up in my feelings and fears that I forget to listen.  I knew as I grew up, and still do, I felt enormous pressure to be good, be perfect, be strong, to be accomplished.  When I feel I have failed in any one of these areas I can become scarred to death that I will lose love and respect completely.  The conclusion is I am a bad person.  Intellectually I know all of this is crap, but in the moment with a flush of feelings and a old 8 track tape playing in the back of my mind.  It can feel VERY REAL.