28/09/2025
Listening is a gift we often take for granted, not just the ability to hear words, but the act of truly letting someone feel heard. So often, when we are in conversation, our minds wander to our response, we nod absentmindedly, or our own emotions are triggered and take us elsewhere. In those moments, we risk dismissing what the other person is trying to share, leaving them feeling unseen or unheard. Listening isn’t about preparing an answer or comparing experiences, it is about presence.
When we listen with the sole purpose of understanding, without judgment, without advice, without trying to fix anything, we give someone the rare gift of safety with their vulnerability. We validate their feelings simply by being present, by acknowledging their truth, and by holding space for them. That act alone can be profoundly transformative.
Imagine what it would mean if we approached every conversation with this kind of listening; no agenda, no response needed, just an open heart. Not only could it make a difference in someone else’s life, but we might also discover something unexpected about ourselves as well. True listening has the power to connect, heal, and teach, all at the same time.
The words 'listen' and 'silent' share the same letters, and perhaps that is no coincidence. True listening requires a quieting of our own thoughts, a stillness that allows us to fully hear and understand another person. In silence, we create the space for connection, empathy, and presence, reminding us that sometimes the most powerful way to be heard is simply to listen.
xo
Gabby
You can find this and all of my other blogs on my website: www.thehospiceheart.net
