Actively Listening

Actively Listening

Today, 08/03/2013, I was simply nice and smiled a bunch. What did come to mind, is the art of listening. At one time or another someone is going to open up their heart to you, and if you are not actively listening, you will miss one of the greatest gifts we as humans have, compassion for others.

I don't want to mention names, situations, or anything too personal about the people I come in contact with. Having said that, one day, someone wanted so badly to mourn the loss of a loved one, and I was completely blind to this persons suffering. Finally, when I quoted Victor Hugo, this person opened up, and told me about their loss. If you know me, you know I love to talk. Not this time. I could tell this person needed to talk when I started actively listening, and I shut my mouth. By the time this person was done, we were both in tears. I never interrupted, and I just listened. I felt compassion, and I in no way wanted to take away from what the person was feeling.

In life, my friend, you will find there are people who are one uppers, meaning they can match and top your pain. Or the Me too pigs, who really don't have a clue. I have not experienced the loss of this magnitude, and all I had to offer was compassion, tears, and a nod of my head. Please be kind when someone opens up to you; don't berate them, don't outdo them, and don't pretend to know what they feel, because you don't.

I felt blessed to have a heart open enough to let someone's pain in, was able to keep my mouth shut, and most of all, feel compassion large enough for the entire world if only for an hour.