Silence Is A Tool

For your consideration…..

We are taking a look at silence today. I think it must be important because it came up in a conversation I had with my friend, Jody last night. It came up in an email sermon I saw this morning and then it came up in meditation today. As we say, there  are no coincidences. We are being asked to think about silence today.

We don’t often think about silence as being a tool but it is. It is a powerful one that we were born with. It came with us in our life tool box. Too often we think of silence as being weak. If we don’t speak up, we are weak. Certainly, if we have something important to say and we don’t say it, perhaps we are having a weak moment.

However, silence most of the time is very powerful. I once read something like, “It is better to have meaningful silence than speak meaningless words.” Talking just for the sake of talking or to hear ourselves talk often has no value and/or can get us into trouble. While holding our words, thinking about them before we speak them, can have profound value.

Is anyone suggesting we be a doormat? Absolutely not. We should speak up when we need to. But speaking our arguing just for the sake of arguing, even if we are right, is not a value add. There are people who are just never going to agree with you. Engaging them is a waste of your time and energy. It is far better to let them find a new ear or even target and save your energy to use on something that matters….some place where you can make positive improvements. It is hard to argue with someone who is silent. Refuse to engage. Use your silence.

This sounds easier than it sometimes is. What about those times when you have hurt feelings. You have been wounded. So do you speak up? Do you stir the pot so to speak? Or do you maintain your silence? Well, it is a matter of judgment and we won’t always get it right.

I once chose silence as the wisest course of action with my oldest daughter. It was a minor issue regarding a kayaking date we had set up. It was petty and escalating. In my opinion it simply was not worth an argument. So I chose to just remove myself from the situation.  She became infuriated and did not speak to me or let me see my grandchildren for a couple of months. I learned that silence was not the best route that day but I also learned something else that I needed to know. My relationship with my daughter is not as unshakable as I thought. Up to that day I would never have believed that. The relationship was forever changed. Evidently I needed to know that.

Recently, I once again chose silence. My feelings were very hurt by someone I love beyond measure. But past experience has shown me that sometimes we see actions radically differently. I see no harm and no harm intended. They see the exact opposite. I know my heart and arguing about its intention simply serves no purpose. I chose silence as the best course of action. So what about my hurt feelings? That is my ego talking. The heart to heart love is in tact and that is what is important.

I give you these examples because rarely is anything black and white. We have to weigh things….think things through. What is best for your highest good and the highest good of all? Silence is a tool that we all have and can use. It is in the silence that we can connect with our Guidance and hear our direction more clearly. It is in the silence where we find our authentic self. It is in the silence where we can most effectively organize our thoughts and thoughtfully plan our actions. In the silence we can release our hurt and anger and come back into balance and love.

We have a choice. We always have a choice. Use your silence wisely.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take……

-Meditate/pray….ask….”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

-Remember your silence is a tool always available to you.

What made me smile yesterday……

-Errands done.

-Laundry done.

-Loved Alex’s email.

-Shannon sent me great pictures.

-Talking with Jody and texting with Bob both brought smiles to my heart.

Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris