Silence and Speech
by Marsha Cook
Great power…
Here is another thought provoking quote, this one by Yehuda Berg: “There is great power in being quiet and letting someone have your total attention.” A question to ponder – how often do you fill a pin-dropping silent space with talk because there is an energy of discomfort in the room; whether in a group, a part of a twosome, or by yourself! Does your uneasiness stem from a desire to fix things, the need to manage, direct or control? Please take a moment to think about it. I will wait.
Nervous energy…
Do you remember times when the ‘entire’ family gathered for one holiday or another, when the hours spent together were supposed to be jolly and gay? Yet the occasion was far from relaxing and enjoyable. Articles are written every fall about surviving the ‘holidays’ with relationships or yourSelf still intact. There is the aunt or uncle known for imbibing a bit too much, who turn from sweet to sour quickly; then there are the ‘in-laws;’ the list goes on to contain friends, immediate and extended family, co-workers and those you feel you have never been able to please! So, you find yourself in a social situation with one or more of these people and there is a big dark hole of discomfort swirling and looping all around you – and you begin to talk. Before you know it you are filling the space with verbal busy-ness, chattering away about nothing and feeling emptier as the minutes pass.
Another scenario that often seems to be filled with busy-ness is the time spent with children. One look at the ‘to-do’ calendar of a young and growing family leaves even the most energized person feeling exhausted. The little calendar date boxes are filled in with work, sports, music lessons, committees, appointments of all sorts, parties, shopping, cleaning and house projects and lest we forget – computer – internet – texting and phone call time. What are we teaching our children with this conglomeration of hubbub? What time are we spending nurturing? More and more, little ones sit in front of a big screen television watching videos or playing games locked in their own world – alone. It is any wonder that they turn into teens and want ear pods, phones with ‘qwerty’ boards and ‘kindles’ in their hands, rather than spending open-eared, empty hands time with adults?
When you do have the time to relax, do you willingly spend it ‘chilling’ with your children or are you caught in your own thinking, your own desires? Once again the nurturing question pops up! Are you aware that nurturing is a two way street? When you are giving, are you conscious of receiving? (continued – see below)
