I have learned there is a time to talk and, more importantly, to listen. Not enough people listen wholeheartedly to someone standing right in front of them.

This.

It is so true, anybody can talk, but only some are truly great listeners, my mother is one of them, the best listener I have ever known and always has great advise but always in an indirect way.

Good point about the loud talkers too, I have come across them in work and personal life and they literally wait for their chance to talk and rarely take in what you are saying at all. They could do with the sound of silence for a while! I have not heard that tune in a good while, it's powerful..

Right now, in the world, the list of topics, phrases, and words you can not use seems to outweigh the words you can use.

Yes, we have flipped too far the other side now and everybody is offended on everyone else's behalf these days. You'd wonder where we are going to with it all.. A society of mutes or an echo chamber of sorts?

Is it a dream to think people from all walks of life can learn how to sit together, learn from one another, and leave a conversation happy because they feel heard? It's all anyone wants in the end. To feel like your ideas, feelings, and thoughts matter. I do not think that is asking a lot from our world.

I try to live this way to be honest, where possible. I think though that some people are so anxious and worried that they cannot just sit and listen, their mind won't allow them and is constantly chattering.. Lovely uplifting version of Oh come all yeah faithful to finish it off, that was enjoyable.