fifth.

report of an applied principle:
i am not close to my roommate, but we are civil and we talk casually about our days. she in particular is more open to talking about her daily routine and life than i am. i figure this is because i talk to my fiance about everything, so most everything is off my mind by the time i talk to her. in contrast, i believe she views me as someone to listen to her since she doesn't have many others to talk to--which i do not consider a bad thing. anyhow, the other day she was talking to me and i really felt like she was expressing her feelings on a certain subject--she was not crying or in rage, but i could tell by the tone of her voice she felt strongly about the subject. as i felt inclined to listen and give advice based on my experiences from my autobiography, i chose to try to listen empathically. i rephrased content back to her, and reflected the emotions i felt she was portraying.

i don't feel as though she came back and let out any more emotions or content then she had initially planned; however, she does not know i am taking an interpersonal communications class and she does not know i am learning how to listen empathically. so even if this experience didn't really affect her, it was practice for me. i appreciated the opportunity to practice. i feel hesitant practicing with my fiance because he knows what i am learning my class and i feel like he would take me being serious as i try to earnestly reflect back content and emotion. if i gain practice through other individuals listening empathically may become easier and more natural furthing me to be able to use it when listening to my fiance and he will feel of my sincerity.