There is a difference between looking and seeing, there is a difference between hearing and listening. I walk down these halls every day and look at these faces. There are times when I look at ignorance, inside of me it stirs rage and anger. Rarely though do I ever get to know these people and see them for what is under the surface, if anything. Rarely is it that I take the time to know these people, their circumstances and see their realities. I hear these people, as I walk past them in the hallways, in classes, in my own home. I hear them but I am not listening. I am so filled with the stresses of this every day life that I am consumed by my own thoughts. I can not comprehend your problems because I can not even take the time to deal with my own. Even with my friends a lot of the time, I can listen and I can make small quotes or strategically planned gestures but I am not listening. If I am honest with you, I am there but my mind is not. None of us are taking the time to see each other, to listen to the truth. We are blissful in a state of not knowing and not worrying about anyone but ourselves. Sure, it’s easy…and I suppose in the end, we really are we have left. However, seeing and listening to someone else is the most beautiful and selfless thing you can do. I am not preaching this to tell you are selfish, we are selfish creatures. That is how we have been raised, that is how society has taught us. A lot of us can take care of ourselves, but sit down some time and think about how often you wish you didn’t have to take care of yourself. Do you remember when you were five, crawling up on the counter to make your own soup? Do you remember when you were fourteen and your boyfriend broke up with you? You laid on that couch crying, praying that your Mom would walk downstairs and just understand. I prayed that she would just hold me and understand. Do any of us see anymore, do any of us listen?