Listen

We live in a world of constant noise, people shouting to be heard, voices clamoring for attention. From advertisements to television shows to internet news sites and blogs (yes, including this one), we are inundated with information. Always, there are people talking. Always, we have a way to fill the silence. Always, there's more to learn, more to read, more to hear.

In all of this noise, I wonder if most of us aren't desperately wanting somebody to listen. To be still and hear what we have to say. To look us in the eyes as we tell our stories and enter in to them with us.

Perhaps this is why there is so much chatter in the first place. All of the status updates, the tweets, the blog posts, all of the noise surrounding us - good and bad - are they not cries to be heard, to count, to matter?

How often do I brush past, not taking the time to hear somebody out? How often do I have other, more important things to do? How often do I forget that listening to somebody, really hearing what they have to say, might just be the best way of showing my love for them?

We all have stories to tell, stories that matter.

Maybe it's time I start making an effort to listen.