Listen

I try to listen to others as well as I can, and I love to learn their stories, especially when they have chosen to tell them to me. It’s human nature to want someone to take an interest in our lives and what’s important to us. You know that someone is a true friend when what matters to you matters just as much to them.  Giving advice has never been my strong suit, but I’m able to absorb every word I hear. Even if I don’t understand what someone is going through, I can offer them my patience and feel empathy for their situation. I think there is a tendency for people to hold back because they fear that they will be misunderstood or that no one has an interest in what they have to say. That’s why it’s so important that if you want your own voice to be heard, you take the time to pay attention to the voices of others.

When we are embraced for our opinions instead of shunned, whole new worlds can open up.  We are all entitled to hold our own beliefs as long as those beliefs aren’t hurting others.  Even if some aspects of a story are very disagreeable to you, sometimes they can make more sense when you take the time to look at the bigger picture. We live in a time a fear, but we can start to overcome that if we work together to try and understand one another just a little bit better. It starts with a listening ear and an open mind, and as much trust as we can muster, even if it’s not all that much.