Just listen.

listen – (verb) to give one’s attention to a sound

Let’s take that definition one step further. Let’s replace the word sound with something else. Let’s give our attention to a story. Someone else’s story, that is.

Why, you ask?

Because something incredible happens when you listen.

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Imagine walking into a library where you are met with walls of books, walls of stories. You can spend hours searching for a story to dive into, but the real mystery lies behind the covers of each volume you pass by.

People, in a way, are the same.

In all areas of our lives we are met with stories, stories of the people who surround us. Each person we meet has a different cover enclosing the binding of who they are, giving us the slightest glimpse into the pages of their story. 

As stories ready to be discovered, we may place ourselves on the shelves where daring adventures and action live. A few of us choose to blend in with the hopelessly romantic novels covered in tales of true love. Many of us find ourselves with the historic volumes, dedicating our lives to our past triumphs and trials.

We identify the pieces of our story that have shaped our lives and choose a genre that best reflects the journey thus far. We all are stories waiting to be noticed, waiting to be heard, and ready for someone to listen.

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As you listen, you begin to flip through the chapters of a person’s life, hearing the woes and victories of a brave protagonist. The exposition sets the scene that slowly begins to reveal the quirks and characteristics of a person through the words that flow from their life’s experiences. You take part in discovering the themes and plot twists along the way, as you continue to learn more about the main character. You hear the rise and fall of their adventures; you understand where they’ve been and anticipate where they’re going.

You travel through story after story and take joy in the idea that the destination is full of cliffhangers, you’ll be listening to a page-turner in anticipation of what comes next.

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At the core of who we are – we desire to be valued; we desire to be heard. We want people to see us, to recognize us, and to remember us. We don’t want to just be another story in a library of people. We hope that who we are and our individual stories hold worth. When you listen you allow others to be heard and everyone has a story to share.