“As a relationship matures, you start to see that just being there for each other is the most important thing you can do, just being there to listen and be sorry with them, to be happy with them, to share all that there is to share.” – Fred Rogers
Today my wife was a little down. She’s usually the picture of happiness and joy, but today she just found herself burdened with the uncertainties so many of us feel at some point in our lives.
I hate to see her like that, and typically I always find something constructive to say in order for her to compartmentalize her feelings and find some peace.
But this time I actually found myself somewhat speechless. My mind was at a loss for anything profound or constructive to say to her. I must have apologized a dozen times for my silence, which I assure you is unusual for a chatterbox such as myself.
But then I stumbled upon Fred Rogers quote above and it suddenly hit me. Sometimes what we need is not an answer from those we confide in. What we need is simply to know they are there to listen with an honest, compassionate heart.
“In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers.” – Fred Rogers
For sometimes just being an active listener, is the only thing people really need.
