“Words are but the vague shadows of the volumes we mean. Little audible links, they are, chaining together great, inaudible, feelings and purposes.”
–Theodore Dreiser
I could write every post for the rest of my life on the topic of words–and love every minute of it. Well-chosen words strung together in well-crafted phrases elevated in well-delivered sentences, all of which are well-timed, are the pinnacle of the spoken experience.
Isn’t it true that in order to accomplish this remarkable task, we must be well-oriented to our internal “feelings and purposes”? In order to make the inaudible audible, we must be well aware of what’s echoing in the inner chambers of our inaudible life.
It stands to reason, then, that our words reflect the extent to which we know ourselves. When we talk too much, it says something. When we talk too little, it reveals something else. When we talk just the right amount with calculated precision, carefully obfuscating our true thoughts and feelings, it speaks volumes.
I wrote a post a few weeks ago on curious listening. Curious speech arises out of curious listening. To have a posture of openness when we talk allows a gateway for others to connect with the inaudible in us by way of the audible.
Most of us, myself included, don’t think enough about what we say or have said and the inaudible bits of our souls that those words connect to. What impact would it make on our relationships if we gave that more thought?
Conversely, most of us, including myself, over-think our words in order to conceal the inaudible bits of our souls that we are painfully aware of and don’t want to reveal. At those times, what would it mean to live with more transparency? What would it mean for our words to reflect that painful awareness while surrounded by others who can challenge us with both honesty and compassion?
When words represent truth they become a refining fire and a healing balm to those willing to listen. How carefully are you listening today? What can emerge from curious listening is transparent speaking.
For those you care about, your words represent the front line of your connection with them. If they only knew you by your words, would they know you at all?