I had the opportunity the other day to spend time with people actively engaged in uplifting their own consciousness, and the consciousness of others.  It may sound wu -- and in many ways it was because this is a pretty deep group. But it doesn’t matter how we do it. Not really. When we spend time with people who help us express ourselves and, better yet, when we spend time with people who recognize our gifts when we express ourselves  -- no matter the setting, it is uplifting.

I am grateful for that experience.

It is our nature to be expressive.  This is how we connect with others.  That is how we remain safe. But when we get shut down -- violently or subtly -- the effect can be the same. Shame. Anger. Grief.Resentment.  When expression is shut down it can lead to heartache, to disease.

It can lead to a plethora of words backlogged images phrases things you wanted to, but didn’t say. . . .iterations of the same song played again and again in the most irritating way until you don’t know what actually happened to get you into this state in the first place.

When our expression is cut off, our heart shuts down.  And once the heart shuts down. . . .that’s it.  The body can keep walking. The mouth can keep talking.  But there is a disconnect. We adapt, but at what cost?

As a counselor, I am a trained listener.  I studied listening. What I have learned is that listening to someone is the one of the simplest ways to be of service.

When we listen to others we give a gift.  

By paying attention to someone, we acknowledge the value of their existence.

When we listen to someone, we are present.

No one is alone when we listen.

There is someone somewhere to listen to you.  Even if that person is not in your life right now, if you are engaged in making that connection, you can make that connection.  To be engaged means to be active and receptive simultaneously. You may be surprised by what that looks like and how it emerges. Resources are available when we seek guidance.