Thursday Thoughts...

Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals… 

Henri Nouwen

Such an interesting thought, such an interesting notion to explore.

I am always impressed when people consider the absence of things; the emptiness or the space, rather than the thing.  Words without silence become meaningless.  Silent spaces allow the words to be themselves; and for their meaning to be held and understood.  Without those moments of silence, words are blether, a continuation of sounds where you can't capture where one ends and one begins and everything, but everything, is mangled.

That makes intuitive sense to me; but then M. Nouwen take its further and applies the principle to the quietness of listening; and how much it adds to the value of speaking.  Without a listener; perhaps speaking can also become meaningless?

Listening is such a great gift.  It allows us to feel heard, and sometimes that is the main game.  To know that someone spent time and listened to you. Being listened to when you speak can be very very healing.

Silence gives us space and meaning...