Iron Rod Press Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 15

Open Your Ears

April 14, 2026 - It's commonly known that bartenders are good listeners, someone with whom you can share your troubles while drowning your sorrows at the same time.

As a non-drinker, I have never had that experience. But I have found a profession where listening is an equally important aspect of the job - hairstylists. There you are sitting entrusting your head (and hair) to someone with sharp objects, and often sharing your life with someone you may or may not have just met.

I have a regular stylist now (shoutout to Krissy!) but there have been plenty of times where I've been at the end of the shears from someone I just met. And more often than not, I end up sharing a good portion of my life story with a stranger who listens patiently as he/she clips away.

While we may feel more connected with the world due to the Internet and instant messaging, at the same time, the rates of loneliness have skyrocketed. We all want to be acknowledged and to be seen and heard. So, what can we do to be better listeners, whether or not we cut hair or serve drinks.

Put your phone away, and on silent mode, when visiting with others. The mere presence of a device on the table, even if it's upside down, signals that access to notifications is more important than the person you are with.
Make eye contact while talking. Be present with others right then, in the moment.
Ask questions about what your friend or family member is sharing.
Be willing to put aside your own comments, opinions, and stories while listening to others. You may have a great addition to the conversation but if you're focused on what you are going to say, you just might miss what they are saying.
That being said, no one enjoys a conversation that always turns into a monologue. Unless the other person has a significant need to talk, share what is going on with your life. That's where the real connection occurs.

As the saying goes, we were given one mouth and two ears for a reason. Let your ears do the work they were meant to do and invite your heart to join the listening.