A long gaze, a brief moment of connection, the way someone's eyes light up-all of these have something in common- eye contact.

What do someone's eyes tell you? I often ponder this question because I believe someone's gaze can tell you so much about them or what's going on in their mind. No, not in a creepy mind reading manner, but in a mild "open book" sort of way.

I've often hear it said that our eyes sometimes speak for us. Well, what do they say? To me, one of the most beautiful things eyes can portray is love. How? Eyes that say "I love you" are often gentle, a soft gaze. They're reminiscent of the simplicity of the phrase they often portray, though heavily packed with emotion. Eyes that speak I love you are full of hopefulness and eagerness to be loved back. They are like the quiet of daybreak with a hint of powerful waves that crash the seashore. Eyes that speak I love you are quite possibly the most sought after in this world because as nearly everyone knows, to be loved is to feel needed, and to feel needed is to have a purpose in this life. Eyes that speak I love you are more precious than gold, for they make us feel alive. I hope you get to feel alive every day, whether that's loving yourself, a significant other, family, pet, or friend.

To the eyes that tell us someone is hurting- I hope you get a chance to comfort this someone. Sadness is often the lack of light within the eyes, with little emotion and the beginnings of tears. As the tear ducts begin to flood, and a water wasteland takes control, vision becomes blurred, accompanied by a deluge of waterfall-like tears and emotion. To see the sadness in someone who is crying is difficult to handle, but to see the sadness in someone who cannot or will not cry can often be worse. It's often like a curtain to hide behind, to try and conceal one's burdens by holding back tears. To conceal these emotions is typically a great deal of effort. I hope you can lessen someone's burden some day and/or allow them some release. I hope people find comfort in those that want to help them. I hope you can find the time to be that someone people can lean on, and when you find yourself in need, I hope someone is their to row the boat amongst your deluge of tears, leading you to calmer waters.

I suppose this is the one we all long for- the eyes that show us happiness. Whether you are happy on your own, and I hope you are, or someone else adds significantly to your happiness, I hope joy crosses your eyes most often. Eyes that speak of happiness are often packed full of creases at the corner, that special sparkle people talk about, and a fullness of life. For we know thanks to J.K. Rowling that, "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light." Whether your eyes are coffee brown, sea foam green, deep ocean blue, or the most creamy hazel, I hope they are always vibrant and inviting, and I hope the light in them is always shining. I hope your eyes speak tales of wonder and joy without you having to say a word, for this life is so glorious.

Actions may speak louder than words, but someone's eyes can hold the universe behind them. Take a moment to see and listen to what they say.