STOP & LISTEN.. A note to self & others...

It is interesting how people change over the years, how the wants & needs rule people's thought processes.

Though one has been confident & happy, by being amongst people who are driven by materialistic things, you either start to run after money or start to become sad & negative. 

Living with unhappy & negative people, over the years, one tends change streaks to that of negativity too. 

Some brag about their lives, though they aren't in anyway different from that of many, but the way they share make others feel inadequate. Gone are the days when you'd feel proud when someone appreciates you, your family or the loved ones. Now people are bragging about themselves. Society is either becoming narcisstic or people have started living sad existances.

These days people get into solution mode the minute someone starts telling them about issues. Sometimes they are insignificant, they simply want to share; if something is bothering them, they share to get it out of their system. That does not mean they want solution. We share things with people, sometimes for the heck of it. Sometimes we seek solace by sharing; Sometimes it is therapeutic to talk it out. The sad part is that people don't realise these, but form opinions, based on what is being shared. It is sad that we are surrounded by people who are judgemental. We should STOP &  accept we are privileged that someone is sharing things with us.

Being judgemental in relationships, be it any, causes unpleasantness. Unfortunately in this day & age it is very prevalent. People live fast lives. Concentration is dying;  patience is wearing off; Society has become so materialistic; people want quick results in everything, be it work or personal lives. Not many have time to invest, bond & build relationships. 

Listening skills are slowly diminishing. People have little or no patience nor inclination to listen to their friends, families or loved ones. In some relationships there would be one person patiently listening all the time. Things would work well for a while. They would also lose their patience eventually & end up walking away. Lack of listening skills, not giving time for people are some of the primary drivers for depression in the current & next generations.

Marriages are falling apart, kids are getting depressed, friendships are failing... What are we doing to ourselves & our loved ones? When was the last time you let your loved ones open up, vent out or share their innermost feelings without interrupting or brushing off? 

Stop being impatient; stop being judgemental; develop listening skills. Appreciate people's individualities. Learn the art of making at least one person happy each day!