The Greatest Gift? Being Seen
The human soul doesn’t want to be advised or fixed or saved. It simply wants to be witnessed — to be seen, heard and companioned exactly as it is.
–Parker Palmer
There’s a quiet ache that lives in all of us — a longing not for advice, not for quick fixes or grand rescues, but simply to be seen. In a world that’s always rushing to give solutions, we often forget the sacred power of presence. We jump in with answers before we’ve truly listened. We offer fixes before we’ve felt the weight of another's pain. But the soul doesn't crave our wisdom or our quick comebacks — it craves connection.
To witness someone is to sit with them in their messiness without judgment. It’s to listen deeply, not just to their words, but to the silence between them. It’s to honor what’s unspoken and hold space for emotions that can’t yet find voice. This kind of witnessing isn’t passive — it’s profoundly courageous. It asks us to show up fully, to resist the urge to control or correct, and instead offer the gift of radical acceptance.
And here’s the thing: this isn’t only how we love others. It’s also how we must learn to love ourselves. Your soul doesn’t need shame or criticism. It doesn’t need another self-help checklist. It needs your gentle attention. Your fierce compassion. Your unwavering presence.
So today, I challenge you — slow down. Listen more. Speak less. Hold space for others, and for yourself, exactly as you are. Because when we witness one another with openness and grace, healing begins not from advice, but from being truly known.
Be the presence the world so desperately needs. Start now — with the person right in front of you… or within you. Better yet, redirect your time, talent, and presence to embracing the magic of hugs and handshakes at Encounter 360° Tampa Bay next February. The screen may connect us instantly, but only genuine presence can truly connect us deeply.
Dennis, you once again hit the proverbial nail on the head. Social media has given us a powerful opportunity to speak, and an equal responsibility to listen and acknowledge. It's a lonely feeling to put something "out there" and hear crickets. I remember the day when you removed "Likes" from BC360, but left us with the opportunity to comment. There is no interaction with "Likes." They are just perfunctory courtesy clicks.
"It’s to listen deeply, not just to their words, but to the silence between them." This sentence resonates with me as I'm often interrupted. Due to my deliberate speech, and my pauses to find just the correct word, others jump in to respond. (It's one reason I love The Bench, I can speak freely without someone stepping on me!) So, thanks for putting this out there. For chipping away at the need (obsession?) we often feel to respond before listening. Great piece, thanks for writing it.