Someone Listened
by Diana Thomas
I have a friend who, unknowingly, has been my mentor for twenty years. She is extremely competent within her profession but she excels as a human being. When I am around her she ingenuously showers me with her kindness, confidence, competence, honesty and happiness. After each encounter, I strive to absorb a few more droplets of her shared humanity before it evaporates into the demands of daily living. What magic transpired to achieve such peace within oneself?
Someone listened. They listened to her with their ears and eyes and heart and in so doing empowered her to acknowledge and challenge her individual qualities. Someone listened, encouraging her to compose and choreograph her own life according to her needs.
Now she listens to her inner self first so she can effectively listen to others. She listens holistically, motivated by genuine interest or concern, responding to both verbal and nonverbal messages. She passes on the gift of empowerment wrapped subtly in the art of listening.
I am still discovering the magic within myself and in the process I am learning to listen rather than partially hear; respond rather than impatiently await my turn to speak; understand rather than critique. Now is the time to pass along the gift...for everyone deserves someone to listen.
