Everyone has a story to tell.

It doesn’t matter where you’re from or where you’ve been, but you have a story to tell.

I find it fascinating when I get to meet different kinds of people. I just think it’s disappointing that in today’s society, we no longer have time to listen to everyone’s stories – where they’ve been, where they are.

We’re always so busy, thinking about the things that we want to accomplish in life. We never stop and think that maybe we should take a moment to really get to know our surroundings. We go through our days, doing what we do best and we forget that we’re surrounded by stories.

I am a big people person. When I meet people, I like to listen to what they have to say. I find joy in getting to know them and learning their story. You wouldn’t imagine how many people have gone through things in their life and they just smile because putting a smile on their face is what keeps them going.

I know that most of the fault lies on social media and technology. We rely on our phones more than anything. We just can’t wait to show the world what we’re doing on a Facebook status or a “tweet.” But when we face people, we can’t even say hello.

What’s gotten into us?

I came to this realization a few months ago when I lost my headphones. I would use them every day to listen to music, on the way to and from class. But one day I really listened. I sat in the bus on my way back to my apartment and I listened to people as they talked to one another. I watched as a homeless man walked into the bus. I watched a woman with three kids – I could see the struggle in her eyes. I even got to talk to the bus driver, who works very hard every day to take me and hundreds of people different places.

Even though I love social media and I have skills in social media that I can use in my career as a professional, I understand that sometimes it’s good to disconnect and appreciate the world around us.

Sometimes it’s good to have a talk with the bus driver.

And when you listen, you’ll be enlightened.

-JMRA