Listening, to me, is an act of kindness, of compassion, of love, and of respect. When we listen to others, we instill in them a sense of agency and allow them to know that they are not only heard, but also seen, loved, and valued. Growing up, my father did not have a childhood where he was surrounded by adults who listened to him. Without an example of a listener, it was never easy for him to actively listen to my make-believe stories and long explanations, as I was a child with a strong imagination. To make up for this, my mother took the time to make each story a conversation; she asked questions and explored the figments of my imagination far beyond the parameters of what I could ever make up. Her interest in my words allowed me to know that I was cared for and made me feel confident, important, and loved. My mother’s care inspired me to offer the same feelings to others and to help everyone around me to know that their words mattered. To actively listen to people, I make sure that they are the center of attention, whether they are talking to me alone, or in a group setting. I find it vital to ask questions that help further their ideas and to show them that I want to hear more. I often find myself, in conversation, nodding my head along with their words and fixating my attention on them. I hold eye contact and ensure that my body language remains open and accepting, no matter the length of the story or conversation, at hand. These mechanisms, in my opinion, display active listening and create strong senses of agency, value, and love in those around me, just as I had always admired.