One of the most painstaking realities I’ve come to learn is that those that need to be listening tend not to. Be those as they may, as I think that we all fall into that category in at least one context, but one of the emptiest feelings I've experienced is when my emotions and/or experiences fall on deaf ears. It’s almost like you’re invisible even though you’re directly surrounded by people.
Similarly, I view life like driving. Yes it may be your car or yes you may be the one driving, but you aren’t the only one on the road. In any kind of traffic, you can’t just plow through everybody to get to your destination, because what if everyone tried to do the same thing? You have to abide by the rules of the road first and foremost, meaning who and what surrounds you on all sides. Everyone else on the road has to do the same. That’s the only way driving, and life, can work.
Something my dad has driven into me my whole life is that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. You can’t possibly expect to prosper in life if you don’t learn how to listen. I’ve experienced direct incidences of this in multiple capacities throughout my life and I just hope that we all can understand that we as individuals aren't the only ones here. More to come on that in proceeding posts.