Feelings, India, Motivation, Mumbai, People, Such is life

Be a talker..and a listener

Forwarding as received:

We, as a society, really have no idea how *suffocated* people are in their emotions. Most people have *nobody* to express themselves entirely to. Everyone is holding back their *vulnerabilities* to maintain the *social image* of a confident and happy person.

Heart-to-heart conversations have become *rare, artificial and shallow*. And most hearts are filled with *empty defences*. 

Most people can’t even talk to their *life-partners openly* for the fear of being judged or rejected. Emotions await just a release. Social images make sure weakness is not glorified. 

Children have *bottled up* stress. Young people suffer anxiety and depression. 

It is just lack of social support. It is *lack of non-judgmental* friendships. It is result of *fast and busy lives* where nobody has time to just sit and watch someone cry. 

It is result of *instant and impatient lifestyle* practices, that *emotions have started feeling like waste of time*. 

We have *WhatsApp and Facetime and social media* – and we also have *stress and anxiety and depression*.

Our forefathers had neither. Because they talked to each other. Because talking helps.

The *face-to-face* type talking, the *just-listen-to-me* type talking, the *hold-my-hand-and-let-me-cry* type talking, the *sit-next-to-me-and-listen-to-my-silence* type talking… the talking where *the person can be themselves and say anything they feel without the fear of any judgement or loss or rejection*. 

Today, we don’t like that type of talking. Those conversations when someone begins to undress one’s mind. In fact we *avoid people*. And so, mental illness is epidemic. Naturally.

There is not much we can do. But we can offer a *listening* !

Let’s let people talk without any fear. Let’s create conversations. 

*Let’s start talking again*.

17 thoughts on “Be a talker..and a listener

    1. How true, Radhi. People digress and undermine the need of a person to speak what’s in his heart and mind. I guess everyone needs a patient ear but doesn’t want to lend one himself.

    1. That is indeed worrisome, and I agree completely. Is it so difficult to set aside a few moments completely undisturbed for someone who needs and deserves your time and attention?
      Thanks for the comment crystal.

  1. You have an amazing mindset. It’s souls/vessels like yours that motivates me even more to speak the knowledge I have been given here’s a quote I wrote for ur exact thinking. “To be Understood is to Understand to Understand one must truly Listen.”

    1. That’s a wonderful quote. A lot of problems in the world can be dealt with, if only we listen to what others have to say.
      Thanks for sharing the quote and commenting. ☺

  2. This is indeed a magical thought….It is high time for all of us to comprehend the significance of listening…..It can help us diminish the pain of others by giving them the much needed moral support.
    In the world where VALUES are losing their lustre , it is important that we empathize with others and best way to do this is to LISTEN PATIENTLY!

    1. I’m so happy that you got the exact point I was trying to make! Be it kids, adults or senior citizens, we all have something to say or share and need a patient ear to listen to us speak. It means so much more than getting an expensive gift or a store-bought card.
      Feelings are the easiest things to bond with and the most fragile ones to break. One small gesture of listening goes a long way, if we allow that.
      Thanks for your lovely comment Rashi. ☺

  3. Thanks for reminding myself. This is a very inspiring post. People truly don’t talk to each other any more, we need to go back to the old days and grab some of their ways of life and not accept and loose control over everything technology has brought into our life????

    1. Exactly, eddaz. When people didn’t have their eyes riveted on television sets or smartphones they communicated by looking at each other and talking. I wonder if we spare that much time and effort to do that anymore. Technology brings the world closer and pushes our loved ones away.

      Thanks for the comment, dear. ????

  4. So apt you write this at a time when ‘being depressed’ is in, what with actresses going about interviews and discussions on being depressed and a few more chip in to add that they have been depressed too!
    The bane of technology running at supersonic speed has its implications and anxiety, depression and lack of communication is definitely one of them!

    1. It will actually help if everyone understands that. I wonder why we feel like seeking company or someone’s time and attention makes us look weak. The biggest problems in life can be eased simply by sharing and caring.
      We need our partners, friends and family more than ever now, and that’s exactly what is getting harder. God bless friends like you who understand and care too. ☺

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