listening

when we talk to people, what is it that we do, exactly?  do we merely relay information?  do we smile and say a few words so we can then pass politely by and get on to whatever's next?  do we make trite comments about the weather or the family or whatever is going on around us?

or do we listen?  to listen, you first have to get someone to open up.  sometimes that's hard, and sometimes it isn't at all.  you could say something like, "how are you?" and really mean it.  do we make time to hear the whole answer?

do we really connect with that other person?  are we willing let them hurt if they hurt and to be with them for a moment in whatever it is they're going through?  do we even let them go through it, or do we make them pretend everything's great, so we don't have to feel uncomfortable, or so we can get home and vacuum the living room?

sometimes it's the most lonely in the middle of a bunch of people.

sometimes those people are even smiling and talking to you.

sometimes they even love you.