The Power of Silence and Words!

When I was a child I was told the riddle “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me”. I tried to believe that but it never seemed very true. Words can hurt. They can sting just as bad as any scrape. They can shoot through you if you’re not prepared. Or they can break your heart into pieces and make you feel like you are suffocating. Sometimes the right words are said but turn out to be empty promises that bear no fruit. Actions often speak louder than words.
Other times it’s not the words that hurt. It’s the silence. Sometimes the silence is so loud you want to pierce it with a scream. Silence can also represent regrets. Words that were never said. Opportunities lost forever in the silence. Broken promises. The letting go of a dream that seems to drift away into the silence. Silence can be uncomfortable and awkward. Silence can also represent suffering. People around the world often suffer in silence.
However, that being said, the opposite is also true. Words can invoke hope and deep meaningful emotion. They can encourage, support, and have the power to change lives. Silence can be comforting. It can heal. Taking time to be silent can lead to deep reflection. Or meditation. Strength can be found in the silence. And sometimes even enlightenment. Many positive things can arise from silence. It can be comforting and often nothing needs to be said or done because it is already known through the silence. Much of our human interaction consists of non-verbal communication. Facial expressions, gestures and body language are a soundless yet telling language. Eyes can say a million words. A smile can brighten a day.
I wrote the first part of this blog (the negative part) many months ago. I am now in a spot where I continued writing the positive side. I’ve been so fortunate to be tucked away in a quiet and peaceful community in a remote but astonishingly beautiful area of the world. I am learning how to grow peacefully in the silence. And am observing that there is a great power that exists in the silence.
Silence in our society is rare, so cherish the silent moments and try to immerse yourself in pockets of silence.