The power of listening.

I suspect that the most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen.Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention. And especially if it's given from the heart. When people are talking, there's no need to do anything but receive them.Just take them in. Listen to what they're saying. Care about it. Most times,caring about it is even more important than understanding it. Most of us don't value ourselves or our love enough to know this. It has taken me along time to believe in the power of simple saying, "I'm so sorry,"when someone is in pain,and meaning it.We connect through listening. When we interrupt what someone is saying to let them know that we understand, we move the focus of attention to ourselves. When we listen, they know we care.

Many people with cancer can talk about the relief of having someone just listen.
This simple thing has not been that easy to learn. It certainly went against everything we had been taught since we were very young.we thought people listened only because they were too timid to speak or did not know the answer. A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well intentioned words......Now,i hope this has inspired you today.Just listen.