In the 21st century, I believe most of us have lost the importance of what it truly means to focus in and listen to someone. When someone talks to another person, I have observed that when it is a person’s turn to speak, the other person immediately starts doing something else-- whether it be going on his or her phone; scrolling through his or her laptop, or eating; as a society, we really need to learn or relearn how to listen to others.

By not listening to what others have to say, it can really hurt their feelings. They will feel unwanted or “not important enough” in your presence. You will be seen as though you have more important things to do or get done than be bothered by that person’s presence.

You will also be seen as downright rude. When someone wants to take you somewhere and have a conversation with them, the person will certainly not appreciate it if you are easily distracted by doing something else and not paying attention to the person. It will hurt the person’s feelings and may seem like a waste of time and friendship.

However, do not feel as though the person does not like you. It may not be just you. There may be a number of factors going through a person’s mind that inhibits the person talking to you. The person who is not talking to you may not be aware that he or she is not talking to you because, internally, there is a lot going on.

In America today, we live in a world that’s called the “grab and go” society. We rarely have time to do anything, and everything has to be done now in order for tasks to feel and be acceptable.

We are lucky if we even have a spare moment to sit down with someone and converse. Our minds are too wrapped up with work, home, and our studies that any other form of concentration seems near to impossible.

With new forms of technology in our hands, focusing in on conversations and listening to others has become foreign. Screens have become existent nearly everywhere. There is something psychological about bright screens and the motions that go on inside of screens that draw humans to them.

Other people may also be trying to communicate to you via smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc.; and thus, this makes us even more tempted to pay attention to the screen instead of someone who is sitting or standing right in front of you.

Due to the rise of technology, people have become more egotistical. Social media sites and blogs allow us to re-post, share statuses, and blog information and forms of discussions. Most of the time, we post things on social media sites to gain attention and popularity.

Most of us are no longer concerned with getting the word out there; rather, they are more concerned with the status of “being the word.” Sharing items but not truly being an activist about it is known as “slacktivism” or “clicktivism.”

Our egos and self-centeredness is something else that leads us to not listen to others. We are more concerned with our own responses and waiting for our turn to answer, rather than really listening to what the other person has to say and giving them a chance. What are we really understanding, here?

Another reason for a person to not fully listen to you may be because of the person’s mindset. No single person has the same mindset as anyone else on this planet. Some people may be more optimistic or pessimistic. Some people may be more selfish, whereas other people might be more selfless.

Regardless of who you are as a person, I believe that it is important to observe other people and look within yourself. If you don’t observe and reflect, then how are you supposed to change?

The first step to any form of change is realization. Once you realize there is an issue inside or outside of yourself, you have the power to do anything. Even if you don’t want to change, I believe it is always important to respect others and give them their fair share to communicate and converse.