Pseudocommunity is conflict-avoiding: true community is conflict-resolving. - M. Scott Peck

True listening involves bracketing, a setting aside of the self.

When we love someone our love becomes demonstrable or real only through our exertion - through the fact that for that someone (or for ourself) we take an extra step or walk an extra mile. Love is not effortless. To the contrary, love is effortful.

While listening is by far the most important form of attention, other forms are also necessary in most loving relationships, particularly with children. The variety of such possible forms is great. One is game-playing.