A Letter On: Connection—The Healing Power of Mindful Listening
Week 08, 2025
ℱ𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓂𝓎 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈... 🫶💌☕
This week I’ve been reflecting on listening. Not just the active physical form of hearing, but really listening—the kind of listening that brings us closer, calms our nervous systems, and builds trust.
Pause for a moment...
Take a deep breath.
Close your eyes if you like, and feel your body soften with each exhale.
You’re here.
Grounded.
Present.
You know the difference when someone truly listens to you? It’s like the world slows down for a second. They’re not just waiting for their turn to talk. They’re fully there, soaking in every word you say. That’s the kind of listening that can change everything—it creates a deeper connection.
I remember going to see the doctor when I was younger. It always felt like they were poised to respond, not really listening. Pen in hand, ready to jot down whatever I said, but it didn’t feel like they were really hearing me. As I moved forward in my healthcare career, I learned the power of active listening—and it became something I’ve always advocated for, knowing how much it can truly change the connection we have with others.
This happens a lot, especially in the workplace. People listen just enough to respond, and we miss out on the deeper connection. It’s not about filling space—it’s about being truly present with the other person, giving them space to speak, and letting your attention reflect back to them.
Imagine you’re the one listening.
Picture sitting across from someone, offering them your full presence.
What would it feel like to be fully with them,
without needing to say anything in return?
How does it shift the energy in the conversation?
Mindful listening is a gift we can give to others and ourselves. When we listen with intention, we create a safe space for the other person to express themselves. It’s about being there—not just physically, but emotionally. We let the conversation unfold naturally without rushing to respond, and that’s where connection happens.
But I know it’s not always easy. The world pulls our attention in so many directions, and sometimes it’s hard to be truly present. It’s okay if your mind wanders or if you catch yourself waiting to respond. The key is coming back to the present moment. Each time you return to the conversation, you’re practicing mindful listening, and that’s what matters.
Let’s pause for reflection:
Think of a time when you felt truly listened to.
What did that feel like in your body?
How might offering that to someone else help create a moment of connection?
I wanted to share a little poem with you, one that captures the spirit of listening with heart and presence. I believe that words can be healing, and sometimes a simple poem can remind us of the power of just being with each other.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
When words are tangled and hearts are still,
In the space between, we listen until
We hear the unsaid, the softest of calls,
A soul’s quiet voice that rises and falls.In the silence, we are found,
In each other’s presence, safe and sound.
To listen is a gift, to share is too,
To hold a moment, just me and you.
This poem is a reminder that our presence—just by listening—is a gift we give to others. It’s not always about what we say, but how we show up. When we listen mindfully, we create a space for healing, connection, and peace.
This week, I invite you to try pausing before responding.
Take a moment to truly listen—not only hear the words but be present with the person speaking. You don’t need to offer advice, and you don’t need to fix anything. Just listen, with your full heart and attention. Allow the conversation to unfold, and see how it feels.
Remember, listening with presence isn’t just a gift you give to others—it’s one you give to yourself, too. It’s a way of grounding yourself in the moment and cultivating connection, one conversation at a time.
𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒢𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓉𝓊𝒹𝑒,
🙏 𝒟𝒶𝓃𝒶 𝓍𝑜