When I ask you to listen to me,
And you start to give me advice,
You have not done what I asked.
When I ask that you listen to
me,
And you begin to tell me why I
shouldn't feel that way,
You are trampling on my feelings.
When I ask you listen to me,
And you feel you have to do
something to solve my problems,
You have failed me, strange as
that may seem.
Listen: All that I ask is that you listen,
Not talk or do-just hear me.
When you do something for me,
That I need to do for myself,
You contribute to my fear and
feelings of inadequacy.
But when you accept as simple fact
That I do feel what I feel, no
matter how irrational,
Then I can quit trying to convince you
And go on about business
Of understanding what's behind
my feelings.
So, please listen and just hear me
And, if you want to talk
Wait a minute for your turn-
and I'll listen to you.