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This post is so important in todays world and fits my view "At the heart of our humanity is connection."

When we connect it's not an asynchronous moment. It is synchronous. As you say so well "And you never know, sometimes just offering a sympathetic ear to someone can be enough to save their life." Yet for us as listeners/supporters it can save our lives and give us hope that we have greater meaning and purpose than we may have imagined.

I volunteer crisis counsel and school counsel. As hard as that can be to hear, learn, and work hard to help others in need, my spirit is buoyed by knowing just being there and basically applying what you've shared Dr. Miller will make a difference. Each time I engage I learn more on how to do it better and I am able to integrate that into my life. To listen to myself.

My go to when speaking with others are some of the following. It is only my voice. You will find your own.

"It’s so hard to express our emotions in words that sometimes it makes us freeze up even though we want to talk. I’m here to listen to hear you. I'm here for you. This is you time."

"I'm here to right here to listen generously. And hear with grace."

This says it all. Simone Weil “Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity”

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