pause

Required skill for being a good person: listening.
Practice listening, but don't overwhelm. Be a listener. All you have to do is hear, a natural sense we were given at birth. Just listen. Pause. Right now. Listen. Listen to everything that surrounds you. Open the door for someone, but don't wait for a "thank you." In my mind, I say, "you're welcome" whether they speak or stay mute. Their heart went to yours and  gave it a hi five. Maybe just a pump, a stomach drop. Listen to yourself, breathing, thinking. Don't think about thinking, just listen. Listen to the world that you don't hear, the one that's not around you. Listen. Far away, across the globe. Imagine. Listen to the words said, but not just said, processed and sounded out in a certain way, with a different accent. Sing, high and low. Listen to the silence of the night while it's still day time. Smell and salivate over your favorite desert that isn't in front of you. Listen to the energy, the prized moments of glory. Listen to the book you threw to the side last night while you drooled to sleep. You're listening to others when you don't know it. Tune-outs do not exist, all but a mind trick. Listen to things you don't want to hear, so that it's easier to cope with when that time comes. Capture air in a bottle. Capture a set of eyes, smiling eyes, on a walk to the park. Give your actions simply. Take action with just a look. Make it easy, simple, better. Listen. Hear the strumming in your mind. Feel the cold chill of air when you're frightened with adrenaline. Rub your palms. Are they soft? But I got you to listen, to hear the smoothness of the sound of friction on your skin. Chatter your teeth when it's not cold. Uneven? Mine too. Listen. Listen to your charismatic self come up with interesting conversation with that favorite person you have. Now sit up straight, don't lean back on your chair. Listen to your body. How do you feel? Better? Stop. Dream. Listen.