Listening

What does it mean to you when someone isn't listening to you? 

By this I mean, you are telling them about something that is important to you, something you are excited about, something that has happened and when you are done telling them, you feel like they really were not engaged in the conversation, nor did they really care about this "thing" you were talking about.

Sometimes this can be hurtful, sometimes it makes us angry.  Sometimes it's just down right rude.  Especially when it is repeatedly happening. 

So what should we do about it?  Do you bring it to the other person's attention?  I think it's only fair to do so, because in reality perhaps the other person doesn't know they are doing it.  And if after you bring it to their attention, it continues. . . then what?  Well, maybe it's time to take a look, further, deeper into why this might be happening.  Perhaps it is because this is an indicator of the other persons view of you, a marker of importance you have to them.  Also though, it might be an indicator of YOU.  I'm notoriously bad about letting people walk all over me, quite honestly I let them damn near get away with murder.  So when this happens, is this the other guy or is it maybe me not being assertive, demanding to be treated as I feel I should. 

We all want to be listened to.  Really heard.  To share our hopes our dreams, our failures, our hurts and sorrows, our joy and excitement.  If we are sharing and feeling like we aren't heard, perhaps it's time to step back from the situation, do some evaluating. . . of both the other person and ourselves.