During his research on what makes people happy, Hector discovered that there are as many flavors of happiness as there are people. The movie “Hector and the Search for Happiness,” which I watched with my family during our final family weekend before the big move to Philadelphia, follows Hector on his quest. It was such an appropriate topic as we were all feeling melancholy about leaving this home of 18 years and starting a new adventure in city living.
There were so many messages in the movie (and I encourage you to watch it), but the one that really resonated with me was “Listening is Loving”. It made me think of what I do as a coach, as a mother, as a wife, as a friend and as a colleague. I’ve always been told I was a good listener, but I never related that to loving the other person. This was an enlightening reality for me. I do love people. I love watching people, supporting people, helping people grow, and really listening to people. In some cases, I think I may be the only person in my clients’ lives who really listens to them. And sometimes I forget how important that is.
It also made me reflect on other good listeners, and those who listen to me. Sometimes, listening is the most loving thing that can be done.
Who do you listen to? Who listens to you? I wonder if it matches up with who you love and who loves you.
“It is not in the pursuit of happiness that we find fulfillment,
it is in the happiness of pursuit.”
– Denis Waitley