The great Act

  Take a deep breath and exhale the stress of the day. Feel that? That’s the weight of the world lifting off your shoulders. Now, let's talk about this beautiful Abuja weather, shall we? It’s the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up with a good book, a warm blanket, and a cup of tea except, of course, you’ve got to earn a living. 😂 But hey, not everyone’s in the same boat. Civil servants, for instance, might just call up their boss and say, “Oga, it’s raining; I couldn’t make it to work today.” Ah, the perks of government jobs! But enough about that let’s move on to today’s dose of gratitude.

Today, I’m bubbling with joy and gratitude for the simple yet profound ability to listen and be listened to. 🙏 Seriously, have you ever experienced the magic of being truly listened to? Not the kind of listening where the person is nodding absentmindedly while scrolling through their phone, but the real, “I’m fully here with you” kind of listening. It’s like finding a hidden treasure it just makes you feel seen, understood, and valued.

I have this amazing friend who is my go-to whenever I’m feeling hurt or misunderstood. She’s the kind of friend everyone needs the one who listens to you without interrupting, without judging, and then gives you the most honest feedback. If I’m wrong, she’ll tell me straight up, but in the gentlest way possible. And when I’m right, she’ll affirm my feelings, saying, “Beeba, your point is valid.” I don’t know about you, but hearing those words feels like winning a mini-lottery!

Today, I found myself in a situation that reminded me of how important listening really is. A colleague of mine had a bit of a mix-up with a customer’s order. The order wasn’t taken on time, the customer got offended, and before we knew it, they stormed out. Now, at first glance, it seemed like my colleague had dropped the ball, and the natural reaction would be to think, “Come on, how could you be so careless?” But then, something told me to hit pause on the judgment and actually listen to her side of the story.

So, I did. I sat down with her and asked what happened. And guess what? It turns out she wasn’t careless at all. In fact, the delay was due to factors completely out of her control. It was one of those “Aha!” moments that made me realize how often we jump to conclusions without getting the full picture. We hear one side, make assumptions, and run with it. But when we stop and really listen, we often find that things aren’t as black and white as they seem.

How often do we misunderstand people like this? How many times have we misjudged someone because we didn’t take the time to truly listen? It’s a humbling thought, isn’t it? Today, I’m incredibly grateful for the reminder that listening can save us from a world of misunderstandings both with others and within ourselves.

Speaking of listening to oneself, let me tell you about a little personal revelation I had. There are days when my body just says, “You know what, Beeba? Today’s not the day for chaos. No drama, no strenuous exercise, just rest.” And you know what? When I actually listen and go with it, I feel like a new person afterward. It’s like my body knows what it needs better than I do imagine that! Listening to my own needs has been one of the most liberating things I’ve learned to do.

But listening isn’t just about tuning in to our own needs it’s about being there for others, too. I’ll never forget this one Sunday morning. I was out for my usual exercise routine, minding my own business, when I noticed a lady sitting on a bench, crying her heart out. Now, usually, my first instinct would be to quietly sneak away I mean, nobody wants to accidentally get involved in someone else’s drama, right? But something pulled me toward her, and before I knew it, I was sitting next to her, hugging her, and letting her cry it all out.

After she calmed down, she started telling me what had happened. It was one of those heartbreaking stories that make you wonder how someone can carry so much pain and still manage to get out of bed in the morning. We talked for a while, and by the end of it, she said she was glad I was there with her. Now, I didn’t do anything extraordinary I just listened. But sometimes, that’s all someone needs a listening ear and a little bit of empathy.

So, here’s the big takeaway: Listen. Listen to yourself, listen to others, and listen with your heart. We live in a world that’s constantly shouting, where everyone wants to be heard, but not enough people are willing to listen. Yet, listening is where the magic happens. It’s where connections are made, where misunderstandings are cleared up, and where healing begins.

Let’s be real we all love to talk. Whether it’s sharing our latest achievements, venting about our problems, or just cracking jokes, talking is easy. But listening? Truly listening takes effort. It requires us to put our own thoughts on hold and focus entirely on the other person. It’s not about waiting for your turn to speak or thinking about what you’re going to say next. It’s about being present, giving the other person your full attention, and acknowledging their feelings.

And let’s not forget the importance of listening to ourselves. How many times have we pushed ourselves to the brink of exhaustion because we ignored the signs our body was giving us? How often do we brush off our own feelings because we’re too busy to deal with them? It’s time to change that. It’s time to listen to what our bodies, minds, and hearts are telling us and to act accordingly.

So, as you go about your day, I challenge you to listen a little more. Listen to the people around you, to the world, and most importantly, to yourself. You never know what you might learn or how much you might help someone just by being there and truly listening.

And remember, the next time the weather is cozy, but you can’t be, just take a moment to breathe. Laugh at the irony, and then get back to the hustle because, in the end, a little humor makes everything better.

Share your experience. Let’s start a ripple effect of empathy and understanding, one conversation at a time.