Caring and Hearing

[Don’t Dismiss It - VI]

I was in a multi-generational gathering yesterday. Everyone was taking turns responding to this prompt: “What does it feel like when you are cared for?”

Many of the answers were expected.

But one child said something that I’ve been holding and learning from, “When someone cares for me, I can tell they care about me, and that means they are willing to listen.”

For that young person, caring and listening are the right and left side of truly belonging.

Don’t dismiss your deep need to belong.
To be cared for.
To be heard.

Belonging requires participation, which is a choice, but it’s first an acknowledgment of our need for care and listening.

Can we allow ourselves to receive it?
Can we offer it to others?
Today?
How about after the election?