Silence/Words 1


Why silence?

iSilenceStock_000002179824Small

I go to silence first when the room has heated up.  Sometimes I’m in the room, completely.  Sometimes it looks like I’m there, but I’m really  far, far away not imagining a beach or a mountain with vistas on view but burrowed deep within to the kernel that is the essence of me.  Soul-deep, I pull blankets, quilts and throws over me to protect myself from the words, not only the words but the sound of them, their fury.  The sound of fury assaults me so I burrow.

Why not words?

Words are elusive.  You mean one thing by a word/phrase.  The listener understands the word/phrase differently.

Why not words?

Words lie.  You say words.  They have meaning but words are not actions only intentions. Do, don’t announce.

Why not words?

The words disappear.  My mind goes blank in emotionally-charged situations, positive or negative.  I can’t remember what I just said, what I wanted to say or what the speaker said.

So, silence.

Silence is peace if not content.  The words will come later – no doubt.

If you like this post, you might also like:

Extinction-Level Conversation

Secrets and Lies

One doesn’t necessarily equal another

 

 


About Candelaria Silva

Candelaria Silva-Collins is a marketing, community outreach and programming consultant; writer; and trainer/facilitator who lives in Boston, Massachusetts. She has designed and facilitated workshops on a wide variety of topics including communication, facilitation, job search skills, team building, and parenting issues. She currently coordinates the Community Membership Program of the Huntington Theatre Company. Her work as Director of ACT Roxbury was profiled in several publications, including The Creative Communities Builders Handbook. Candelaria’s children’s stories, short stories, essays and reviews have been published in local and national publications and she is an active blogger. Her publications include the booklets, Handling Rejection; Pushing through Shyness: Networking Tips when You’re Shy, Slow to Warm Up or Just don’t Feel you Belong; and Real Questions about Sex & Relationships for Teens: A Discussion Guide for Parents. She has served on the boards of Goddard College, Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston Foundation for Architecture, and Discover Roxbury. She is currently Chair, Designators of the Henderson Foundation.

Leave a Reply

One thought on “Silence/Words

  • Carolyn

    Sticks and stones will hurt my bones and words have the power to kill me! Thank you for this powerful piece, it really hit home. I so feel you. Your piece brought Proverbs 14:30 to mind (q cite= ” A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body; but envy, Jealousy and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.”>