Hearing

I have been thinking about understanding and being understood.  I have mentioned before how I (along with most everyone) have two ears and one mouth.  It is so important I listen more than I speak.  Also that I listen to hear, rather than listen to speak.
It is also important to me that someone is given the space to talk.  In meetings where the loudest voice was the one that was heard, and people talked over the top of each other, I would remain silent.  Many a good idea is whispered rather than shouted.  I will only hear them if I have listening ears, and a willingness to listen.
What has impacted on me again today is how I have a filter.  What I hear is not necessarily what was said.  It is probably close to it, but close can still be a long way away.
I have a friend that often speaks controversial stuff.  That does not seem to matter to him.  He throws it out there and others rush in with their opinions.  Eventually all that is said settles, and the best of it is used.   I like that.  Thankfully though he has thick skin.  Often people see the world differently to him, but he recognises all knowledge does not begin and end with him.
I try to repeat back what was said (often in paraphrase) to pick up what was said, and give opportunity to the other to highlight emphases.   To me, although listening is extremely important, it is hearing that matters most.
I guess I got onto this as I was considering how often I hear something, but interpret it though the filter of my own experiences.    I reckon that would be true of what is typed on this page.  I would have something in mind when I type.  Ohers would agree or disagree having heard something through their own filter.
We have one of those spray painting bottles.  When it works it really works well and cuts the time spent painting by heaps.  Often though, there is the smallest amount of paint that has congealed, and it blocks the flow.  The thing about filters is they can be clogged, or they can have something on them that alters the state of what is being conveyed. 
The filter on what I hear can do the same.  Something said may not be clogged and is heard, but it is altered by my filter to be something different to what was said.  I, along with everyone I think, have prejudices and my own world view.  When someone sees something the same way I do, I feel validated.  Yet even within our similarities, there can be vast differences.
To me it is one of the reasons why it is so important to get the thoughts of many where possible.  What I think can be limited, as can the thoughts of another.  Usually though, import from a number of sources makes something the best it can be.
I willingly follow someone’s goal.  It is doubtful the way I see it is what was meant to the letter, but there is a good chance it is similar enough for me to endorse it and follow it.