I'm listening...Yes I am...

Yesterday was a day of listening for me.

In the morning, I listened to my brother's plan for the next few weeks. Then I listened to manang's revelation about her brother who was once a government rebel... I was never the listening type of person. I am usually the one doing all the talking. But lately, I just keep on finding myself listening to people. For some time now, I have had this daily goal of "Who will I listen to more carefully and intently today?”

Ironically, I like every moment I spend in listening to people. I see that people feel good about themselves when someone would sit and shut up and listen to them for at least half an hour. I remember a few years back, I couldn't stand listening for 5 minutes. I would literally interrupt people and monopolize every conversation. I guess I got tired or finally I am more aware and sensitive about other people's feelings.

Yesterday, I spent almost two hours listening to a stranger who talked about his life. I listened. He talked about about being a husband and being a father and how he would love to travel in the coming days. Being the highly kinesthetic that I am, I felt his happiness, loneliness and hopefulness. I didn't do anything, I just listened. He thanked me and firmly shook my hands as we parted ways and said I could always come to his office for any assistance in Mandaluyong City Hall. After that, I got to see my old buddies from Makati for our Elementary Batch get together. I was able to listen to a lot of stories too.

I love listening. Listening provides me with many opportunities. And even though there was an incident lately that I got into a mess simply because I listened. It wont stop me from listening. I think a lot of people out there would need someone who would listen to them...