Listening is an important ingredient for success in personal and professional life. Those who master the art of listening will be viewed positively, to say the least. (Purdy, Borisoff, p. 3) We use our listening skills in our personal lives to understand what our family and friends may be feeling. We practice listening in professional life during meetings at work, or by listening to the doctor when you are sick or caring for a sick child. Listening skills are important to ensure we understand how others feel or how to do our jobs more effectively. Not only is listening a valuable skill, it is also conducive to good health. Studies have shown that when we talk, our blood pressure increases; when we listen, it diminishes (Lynch, 1985, p. 160, Purdy, Borisoff, p. 3); Thanks to these studies, it may be important to understand during dates where you may already be nervous. However, listening is not automatic, it requires our full and conscious attention. (Purdy, Borisoff, p. 7) Ethics is about decision-making and behavior: what is the right thing to do in any situation. What we should do involves action; and listening, like any other aspect of communication, is an action. As an action, listening (or not listening) has real consequences for people and messages. (Purdy, Borisoff, p. 14) Listening skills show how to learn aspects of our daily lives. We also use listening skills in school as a young child.