Sitting across from someone and listening to the words coming out of their mouth is not the same as listening.

To truly listen to a person is to put great effort into digesting every word they are saying and take it all in without thinking of how to respond.

When we occupy ourselves with the “best way” to respond to a person who wants to speak to us, we have stopped listening.

Listening is a skill.

It takes effort and time to build.

However, it can be practiced every day.