What does silence really say?


“Saying nothing...sometimes says the most.” - Emily Dickenson

In the past I have been quite vocal. Perhaps overly so. In fact, I have resented those who are silent more than I could possibly even put in to words. Now, however, my perspective has changed.

Silence doesn’t mean I’m right and you’re wrong. It doesn’t mean I accept your argument or that you accept mine. What it does mean is that I’m tired of explaining things that no one can truly understand better than I can to anyone other than God. That’s it.

It means that I’m staying busy. It means that I’m focused on what I need to do. It means that I’m far more interested in coming to the table with what I have done, instead of a plan of what I am going to do. It means that actions speak louder than words. It means that the time for conversation is over for now, and that something, somewhere has got to give. It means that I clearly recognize my faults, and I know my areas requiring improvement. Which leads me to ask, do you? Or do you spend so much of your time analyzing what other people should be doing that you fail to see your own shortcomings, faults and areas of improvement? Because here is the thing: you aren’t an authority on life and living. Neither am I. No one is.

Even more than all of that, though, being quiet means not saying a word unless it improves upon that silence. It doesn’t mean you’re shutting anyone out, it simply means that unless you can improve upon the silence, it might be best to shut up until you are confident that you can.

So, when in doubt, shut up. 


1 comments
  1. My silence means that I am done explaining the who,what, when and justifying the why. It simply means you get it or you don't. If you do then you know why and acknowledge it by silence until I am ready to talk, if you don't, then I won't allow you then.I simply won't allow you the opportunity to figure it out. Time is a commodity I simply don't trade... Shame on me perhaps but non the less...

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