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We mentioned earlier about being a good listener. 

.One of the secrets of being a good talk show host is having the ability to listen rather than do all the talking. Maybe none of us are going to be talk show hosts but we can learn something from that principal. I have heard it said that the reason God gave us two ears and only one mouth is so we can listen twice as much as we speak. Could be. Here are four tips to help us be our own talk show host all day long.

1. We must be careful not to show shock or bias when our friend/family member confides in us. They will clam up and not be willing to share anything with you if you show shock or act in a disapproving manner. Not only must we keep our mouths shut when our friend is pouring her heart out, we must keep it shut afterward and make sure we keep her confidence. Trust is very important.
2. Give your friend your undivided attention. Nothing is more irritating than to be talking to someone who is looking over your shoulder at someone else and acting like they can’t wait to break away from you. Body language is important. Make eye contact and really listen even if the problem seems insignificant to you. Never act as if you are merely enduring until something better comes along
3. Keep the conversation flowing. If your friend seems to be having difficulty in talking about her problems you might want to prod her along by asking about her feelings on the matter or for detail. If you show an interest and warmth, your friend will feel important and will be more apt to confide in you.
4. Listen carefully. It has been said that ninety percent of all communication is nonverbal. Again, the body language. Anyone can tell whether or not you are interested in what is being said. Do you really care or is your mind wandering thinking of all the things that you need to be doing? It is important for a wife to make time for her husband and to listen to him. A wife makes time for her job, her kids, the PTA, her mother-in-law but all too often not her husband. A mistress, however will. The essential ingredient of communication is the ability to listen. The word wisdom in Hebrew means, "A heart that listens." That’s a heart with ears. Love listens. The two go hand in hand, or ear by ear

As we ask ourselves what characteristics we would like in a friend, we need to examine our own hearts and see if we are showing forth that characteristic to our friends. We must ask ourselves periodically just what like of friend we are. Are we giving and just how much of ourselves do we give?

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