Understanding.  Empathy.  Taking a moment to look into another person's eyes and tell them you care.  With a look, a tilt of your head, maybe a slight nod now and then.  Listening.  I wonder if we listen to each other enough in this brave new world of ours.  We're so quick to offer heartfelt opinions, but what are we hoping to achieve?  Having someone listen.  To understand.  Maybe feel empathetic to our plight.  Or just shut up long enough to hear us out.  To listen.

It's really very hard to listen.  It is an art in and of itself and a powerful form of communication.  It isn't the same as hearing the words, it isn't a part of a conversation.  Conversing is you hear, you speak, you hear, you speak... and if it's an argument you end up speaking loudly and hearing nothing.  That's not what listening is.  Truly listening is the highest compliment you can pay to another person.  It has nothing to do with you, it is giving them the gift of your full attention.  Chances are, that matters alot to them.

So when your elderly aunt goes on and on and on ... remember that one day you will miss her voice.  When your friend on the phone doesn't seem to care that you're busy while they bemoan their life ... remember there's a reason that they are your friend.  And you, theirs.  When your child is tugging on your sleeve demanding that you listen in a way adults can't get away with ... remember how fleeting are those pleas.

You have the time.  If you're really, really lucky and invest it wisely, maybe someone you care about will listen to you.