listen understand

“Listen.” Over and over again this morning the word that kept popping into my heart was “listen.” On the surface that can seem so passive, especially if you’re in a crowded meeting room and you keep wondering why that one person (or no person) is talking. But “listen” is a verb. It implies you are focused, observing, considering, thinking… but when I listen what I am really doing?

Am I waiting for my turn to talk? Or am I thinking about that person and their story? Do I take enough interest to ask them more questions rather than interjecting a similar story that I have?

Today I want to listen more and talk less. I want to ask earnest questions of people and their perspective. Why do they believe what they believe? Not so I can agree. Not so I can refute it. Not to get defensive or to start a common cause with a GoFundMe page. Just to understand.

I want to put myself in someone else’s shoes and see the world from their eyes. That is where empathy comes from. That is where love exists.

Community, unity, united… it doesn’t mean we’re all identical. That we believe all of the same things or do things the same way. It means I take the time to understand and love you in between our differences.

Listen.