do we actually listen???

are we actually listening to the needs of others 
or are we more listening to their needs in hopes that
they will finally hear ours? 

when I wrote that I was thinking about myself. I love to be heard. in fact, I crave to be heard. If I'm the only one who feels this way, I'll be incredibly shocked. We listen with a divided attention. Half of us truly wants to understand what the opposite person is saying, and the other half suddenly relates somehow or your little brain came up with something wise to say and you just cannot forget it. aka, you're not listening anymore. 

It's really sad to realize that in the moment. I want to give my undivided attention but out of my own human nature, I suddenly feel the need for my wounds to be tended as well. There is a fine line between listening and caring. A truly caring person will listen with undivided attention. Not everyone has that skill, because once you find someone to open up to, I'm not sure we realize the gift we have. That or perhaps it's almost too terrifying.

Either way, I really want to work more on being a true listener in the sense that my words spoken aren't in the way to change the topic. When a person opens up to you, take it as a cry for help. Take it as an opportunity to help someone else heal their wounds.

so 

are we actually listening to the needs of others 
or are we more listening to their needs in hopes that
they will finally hear ours? 

Maybe their isn't anything wrong in wanting to be heard, maybe it's just the ratio of talking vs listening that needs to balance out. 

p.s. happy late thanksgiving and merry christmas