Everyone has a story. People from all around the world of different backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and religions. We all have a story to tell. Our stories are special. They connect us to one another. They unite us. They allow us to understand what all of our lives look like. Recently, in one of my classes at college, we were asked to complete a mask. We were asked to decorate the outside of our mask with what we wanted the world to know about us and what the world would see when they looked at us. Then, on the inside, we were instructed to decorate the mask with things that many people don't know about us, or what we choose to hide from other people.

I didn't think I would enjoy this assignment as much as I did. I struggled with what to decorate my mask with and how I wanted to decorate it and all my mind could focus on was the fact that I had to get up in front of the class and present this to my peers (which is something that I hate doing). I finished my mask, presented it, and listened to the other presentations of my peers, and I was truly touched.

These young women put their hearts into those masks. They shared stories about the saddest, toughest, and scariest parts of their lives to a room of strangers and they did it with so much courage. I was moved to tears during some of the presentations. The point is, we all have a story to tell and those stories connect us as human beings on this earth. There are parts of our stories that others can connect with and in turn, we can build relationships with those people.

In a room of 19 people, 3 of those 19 have lost a parent. That is something that I selfishly thought I was only experiencing or going through. People shared things that others could relate to and it brought a room of 19 strangers closer together. Our stories have that power. Our stories unite us. They show that in this crazy and confusing world, we all have similar struggles. We need to listen to the stories of other people because stories are healing. They are healing for the person telling it and they are healing for the person or people listening.

I encourage you to take time out of your day to listen to peoples' stories. When you ask someone how their day is going and they respond with "it's good" or "I'm okay" dive deeper. You never know what the person beside you is walking through. Take the time to listen. Sometimes our ears are more important than our mouths. Listen to the stories of others and love one another. Lift people up and don't tear them down. Carry these two verses with you-

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you not look into his own interest, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4