Sometimes for us silence isn't listening; it is waiting, waiting for the other person to quit talking so that we can talk. We listen when we really want to hear what someone is saying. When someone who is very important to us is telling us something that is of burning interest to us, we are very intent on hearing every word. If our boss is saying something about a promotion, a raise or a transfer, he or she has our to-tal attention. When we go to a concert or play, or poetry reading, we become very still so that we can hear and absorb every sound, every word. We can also allow ourselves to be silent and listen to what our insides— our deepest thoughts and feelings— are telling us. We are important enough to learn to silently listen to our own inner voice.