I love to communicate.
Speaking, writing, sharing — I do it plenty. Maybe too much.
But there’s something I appreciate more than the words I share.
Silence.
You see, the loudest voice in the room garners the most buzz. But that attention is leased, not bought. It’s chewed up and spat out like a piece of gum.
On the contrary, the voice that shares the least quite often says the most.
The person who can deftly master the art of silence can wield incredible power — the power to subtly captivate with something that resonates. The absence of many words can demonstrate nearly as much as the few that are actively shared.
Still, silence naturally defies attention. We are hard-wired to ignore the silent in favor of those who contribute to our collective white noise. Silence is taboo; noise is normal.
But while it’s certainly important for some — such as abuse victims — to speak out, it shouldn’t be a blanket societal requirement. Leveraging the art of silence can bring an important measure of balance.
This is a major reason why I’m a strong advocate of selective periods of silence. I will occasionally spend an hour or two sitting on my porch or taking a long walk, without checking my phone or saying a word. I don’t crank up the tunes; it’s just me and the rhythmic sounds of birds, the wind or passing cars on the highway near my home.
These are the moments I cherish. They allow me to think, to reflect, to focus free of the white noise that otherwise dominates my life. These periods of silence provide me peace and solitude, and I emerge from them renewed and refreshed.
I don’t take this portion of my life for granted. Many are surprised to learn that I happily live alone, without pets; one of the many reasons I do is to allow myself for moments of silence and reflection. Others might not commit to taking long walks with only their thoughts as accompaniment; this is something I actually look forward to.
While I fully recognize that I have a unique disposition to appreciate silence — I’m naturally shy and actively self-reflective — I do believe it’s important for others to at least build a passing acceptance of it. We have a very real issue with overcommunication in our culture today; restraint and balance are missing attributes. Nature does not involve continual disruption; it’s important that we reconnect with its rhythm.
So, after you’re done reading this bit of white noise, consider taking some time to unplug. Remove yourself from all distractions, and find the solitude in silence. You will emerge anew.