Finding your soul begins by discovering our ability to listen!

The late afternoon sun dipped below the horizon, casting long, warm shadows that stretched across the café floor. The air was thick with the smell of freshly baked bread and the faint hum of distant voices. Jack sat in the corner, his elbows resting on the table, his eyes tired but focused. Jeeny sat across from him, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her cup, her dark eyes distant, lost in thought. The light from the window flickered across her face, casting her in a momentary glow, as if trying to pull her back into the present.

Host: The quiet around them felt almost palpable, as if the world had momentarily paused to give them space. Jeeny, her lips slightly pursed, finally broke the silence with a question that hung between them like an unspoken truth.

Jeeny: “I was reading something earlier. It was a quote from Om Malik. He said, ‘Finding your soul begins by discovering our ability to listen! Alternatively, by sharing a smile, a laugh, and just by being human to everyone—from friends, colleagues, family, and especially strangers, including those who are not from the same station in life as you.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a wry smile. His voice was low, almost mocking, but there was a trace of curiosity hidden beneath. “Listen, Jeeny, I get it. Listening is important. I know. But come on, you really believe that’s how we find our soul? By smiling at everyone we meet and pretending we’re all connected? Life isn’t that simple.”

Jeeny: Her eyes softened as she leaned forward, her fingers still resting on the edge of her cup, the steam from her coffee swirling up in delicate tendrils. “But maybe that’s the point, Jack. Maybe it’s not about pretending. It’s about really seeing people—about connecting with them on a human level, regardless of their status, their background, or what they can offer us in return. Smiling or sharing a laugh doesn’t take anything away from us; it gives something. It’s about acknowledging someone else’s humanity.”

Host: The mood in the café shifts, as if her words have cast a subtle light across the room, making the small space feel just a little less isolated. Jack shifts in his seat, the look on his face more contemplative now, though a trace of skepticism remains.

Jack: “You really think that’s all it takes? To smile at someone, to listen, and everything is fine? That’s just… sentimental. People don’t change with a smile. They change when there’s substance behind the gesture, when you earn their trust, not just by being nice.”

Jeeny: She sighed, her gaze dropping to her cup, as if searching for a way to express what she truly felt. “But that’s the trap, Jack. We’ve become so focused on earning trust, on building walls to protect ourselves, that we forget the most basic thing: to simply be present. Connection isn’t about proving something to someone, it’s about being with them, even if it’s just for a brief moment. The way we treat strangers—how we acknowledge them—can change everything. It’s not about what they can give us, but about showing up as human to everyone.”

Host: The silence between them grows thicker, but not uncomfortable. Jack shifts again, his jaw clenched for a moment as if weighing her words carefully. His eyes flicker to the side, lost in the passing world outside, before he returns his gaze to Jeeny.

Jack: “I don’t know, Jeeny. The world isn’t a charity. You can’t just expect people to open up or connect with you just because you’re nice to them. The truth is, people are complicated, and sometimes, you can’t connect with everyone. Not everyone deserves that part of you. Smiles and laughter—those things don’t get you anything real in return. People don’t change with small gestures, no matter how heartfelt.”

Jeeny: She shakes her head, her tone soft but insistent. “But maybe that’s where we’re wrong. We think we have to give something tangible, something we can measure to make a difference. But the smallest gestures, like a smile, a kind word, or really listening to someone—it’s those moments that reveal our soul, that make us see the beauty in the world. Maybe we need to stop trying to fix everything and start by being present, truly present, for others. That’s where the connection begins.”

Host: There’s a subtle change in the air around them, a sense of vulnerability, like two pieces of a puzzle slowly fitting together. Jack’s fingers now rest on the edge of his coffee cup, his face more serious, as if he’s beginning to see the truth in her words.

Jack: His voice is quieter now, more reflective. “I get it. I’m just not sure it’s that easy. Being human isn’t about just showing up. It’s about balancing who you are with the world around you, and sometimes, giving too much of yourself is the easiest way to get hurt.”

Jeeny: Her smile, though soft, is genuine, and her voice carries a quiet understanding. “I’m not saying you should give everything away, Jack. I’m saying that we’ve forgotten how to connect, how to recognize each other’s humanity. That’s where it starts. Sharing a laugh, listening without judgment, showing up for someone else without expecting anything in return—that’s how we find our soul. That’s how we remember who we really are.”

Host: The silence lingers, but it’s no longer heavy or uncomfortable. The light outside has dimmed, and the café feels like a world unto itself, where small gestures and soft smiles carry weight. Jack stares at her for a long moment, his expression softening, and for the first time, he lets himself consider the possibility that she might be right. The rain outside continues to fall, steady and sure, as if it too understands that sometimes the smallest actions can create the greatest impact.