Reflections 2

     I just got done chatting online with a friend of mine.  We talked about her life, mostly.  She
told me about some of her problems and I gave her my opinions.  Anyway, at the end of the
conversation, she told me thanks for listening.  Did you hear me?  She told me, thanks for listening.
     Now, this really bothered me.  I've been know to be a nice guy, and I figure one of the
reasons this is so is because I'm a fairly good listener.  I personally don't think much of this skill,
my mother is the same way, she listens, as does my father.  But, apparently, this is a fairly special
skill, as demonstrated by what my friend said to me.  Thanks for listening?  I didn't think you had to
thank someone for that.  I always thought that it was something everybody could do, just listen.
     But, is it really that easy?  From what I've seen, a lot of people like to talk.  Who doesn't? 
Doesn't everybody like to converse with other people and exchange opinions and ideas?  Sure, I like
to when I get the chance.  We like to talk, we're social creature.  However, with all these people
talking, sometimes things don't get heard.  At least, that's what I've come to observe.  With all these
people talking, who's left to listen?
     Apperently, I'm one of those people.  In all this endless talking, people have listened to each
other less and less.  But, people need other people to listen.  This is a fact.  What's one of the things
that people say they look for in a spouse?  Someone that they can talk to and that will listen to them. 
People seem to charish someone who can do this simple act of just listening.
     Listening is a natural thing, everyone can do it, and they do do it eventually.  Some people
learn quicker than other, and I think I'm one of those people.  I just learned to shut up early on so I
won't have to later on.
     I just wish it was enought to find a girl and be with them.  Unfortunately, listening seems to
be the only thing I'm capable of.  I suck at intimacy.  I haven't even had a first kiss yet!  I've never
made out with a girl, not even the two girlfriends I had in high school.  I just listened.  So, I've come
to the final conclusion that I'm no good at being a boyfriend.  I can't be physically intimate with
anyone.  But I do have a great ear.  I am a good listener and I can be a good friend, but I think that's
all I'm capable of.  That's all, and nothing more.
     Thanks for listening?  No, thanks for letting me listen.  God knows that's all I can do.