When you are a social worker, people tell you things. Obviously your clients tell you all sorts of things, also friends and family know you are a good listener and unburden themselves. But also, and this is the weird part, total and complete strangers...I could be in line at a grocery store and the person in front of me will start telling me their life story and asking for advice. In fact I think that exact scenario has happened more than once to me. Social workers give off this "I'm a friendly caring person who is willing to listen" vibe even when we are PMSing and have a screaming child in the shopping cart. Its just how we are wired.
But I also think this phenomenon has as much or more to do with the fact that people really just want someone to listen to them. Think about it-when is the last time you were able to talk to someone without them interrupting, telling you their own stuff or generally flaking out. I feel very fortunate to have a few people in my life who will do that, more than one is like an embarrassment of riches.
Henri Nouwen said "The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in bereavement and grief who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face us with the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares." I hope you have someone who listens to you today. Even if its the social worker in line behind you at Publix. And I hope you have the chance to listen to someone you love today.