“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
We all hold a valuable memory of a time we truly felt loved, a time we truly felt valued or a time we truly felt heard. What made these moments so valuable for us? According to Portuguese-American neuroscientist, Antonio Damasio, feelings are what occur as the brain interprets emotions; first there needs to be a stimulus to which we automatically and unconsciously react to. In this case, it is the act of listening, admiring and appreciating. As we become aware of the physical changes, it is at this point that we become aware of our feelings.
A process we may all become apart of; by intentionally listening, admiring and appreciating those around us, we provide them with the means to respond to these stimuluses and thus help them create valuable memories of a time they truly feel loved, a time they truly feel valued or a time they truly feel heard.
