- Saturday, June 4, 2011
- Posted in enoughness
cedar and me walking a trail at maple falls
I was walking Cedar down to the water in our neighborhood the other day and I saw on a bumpersticker stuck to the back of a funky old truck “Knowledge Speaks but Wisdom Listens” ~ Jimi Hendrix.
For gals like me that can be far more fumbly with the spoken word than the written word, it moved through me like home. It reminded me that I don’t always have to fill a space with words and that silence can speak volumes. It reminded me that energy in a room can say so much and so can touch and just simply being in a space to prefer listening. We all share ourselves differently and the exchange of thoughts and feeling can be expressed in so many ways. Throughout my life, I have been told I have a quiet strength in person. I was never quite sure how to receive that, coming from a very expressive family, until my eyes lingered on this quote.
Give yourself permission to not have to fill a space with words. Curious what that freedom will offer you and what wisdom will come from you or to you.
June 4, 2011
These words are so timely. Just yesterday I was reading about one of the desert fathers, Abba Agathon, who is said to have carried a pebble in his mouth for three years (three years!) in order to learn silence. There’s was an accompanying calligraphic painting that showed a Japanese monk with a pebble between his lips. It really struck me how hard the discipline of silence can really be … but also what a great gift it offers others. xoxo
June 4, 2011
yes, i echo christianne. timely.
June 4, 2011
your words are so awesome and they are so so very true… and by the way, this is a gorgeous picture of you and your little cedar. i adore your clothes – precious.
June 4, 2011
I’m a long time reader, but never commented. Your words are very true. I’ve told throughout my life (and in my professional life as well) that I’m too quiet, I don’t speak enough. I’ve always maintained that sometimes silence is whats needed, and listening is vital. So I would wholeheartedly agree with your post. My father often comes across as shy, but he’s not. He just only speaks when he feels he has something important to say. My mother is the opposite. I’ve learned a lot from both.
June 4, 2011
Can I just say… damm you look great! The dreads totally compliment you mama. You are incredibly beautiful inside and out. Namaste.
June 4, 2011
I totally relate, but I have a question.
How do you deal with this when you have emailed someone and you have a great email relationship but it’s harder to connect in person? I always thrive in friendships when we can speak on the phone as well, but in person, I’m always just a little bit timid, a little bit shy, and then I am so sad later thinking about all the things I could have said.
June 4, 2011
i agree with this so much. when i was younger, silence made me almost nervous–i think i knew i would have to deal with my thoughts. but now, i love the quiet, i crave it. i’ve gotten much quieter over the years…sometimes people actually tell me i’m “too quiet”. go figure!
June 4, 2011
Love that quote…
like the best of both actions
speaking with knowledge and sitting silent in wisdom…both good, both with their own relevance
I find I am both…though the older I get the more I love for silence…in myself, in my surroundings…I find great peace in the stillness of life
maybe it is now in this season i put the Wisdom first and the knowledge second…
you are looking wonderful D, your move has done your well…and look how that little man Cedar is growing!!! before you know it YOU will be looking up at HIM! lol
Love and Light dear one
June 4, 2011
Finding this so true right now. I find it so hard to express myself verbally as well and completely identify with your [written!] words.
June 5, 2011
First, I LOVE your outfit
Second…funny you mention this because we have a couple of friends we hang out with and I feel so awkward at times with them in silence and I feel like I always have to butt in and make conversation. It’s taken me a while to get used to the fact that they are just quiet people. I’m comfortable with on going conversation and I feel that if that doesnt happen, then either the person doesn’t care about what we think, or who we are and what we have to say, or maybe they just don’t like us at all…or are just bored. But I’m learning to accept silence and although to me it may seem awkward at times, I think probably to others it feels natural and comfortable. Thanks for bringing this up, I love that quote!
June 5, 2011
This shy girl needed those words! Thanks, Denise.
June 5, 2011
ah, my husband and i had the best meal ever the other night. the four kids were at the grandparents and normally we take advantage of these times, sans kids, to have a conversation w/out getting interrupted a million times. but on this evening, as we enjoyed our food, we also enjoyed the silence. after a long period of time he commented on how quiet we were and how it felt so good to be quiet. our silence together was the most rejuvenating “conversation” i’ve had in a really long time!
June 5, 2011
just wanted to say i think of you and that the 3 of you are always in my thoughts. big hugs xx
June 6, 2011
I haven’t visited your blog since before you moved. I am in love with Cedar’s curls. What a sweet, beautiful boy you are raising!
June 6, 2011
So few people are able to appreciate silence for what it is. I love my house when it is quiet. When there is no music playing, or movies on the tv. I love the space it creates in my heart and mind. I love how freeing silence is.
Enjoy the silence, it can be a gift <3
June 6, 2011
I love your blog and the respect you have for Cedar and his childhood. I have two little grandsons and am so happy I get to once again share their early years.
June 6, 2011
i grew up in a house where silence meant something bad. it’s been many years of learning to accept that silence is not a bad thing. what a great bumper sticker! btw, cedar looks so in charge in that picture! striding with purpose! the move seems to be exactly right and happy for all of you. plus it’s just beautiful!
June 7, 2011
I just stumbled across your blog, and I’m so glad I did. I think I needed to hear these words today, so thank you.
I love the photos in all the previous posts! Fantastic work.
I’m excited to keep following the blog.
June 7, 2011
yes, there is something to be said for the silence, the emptiness.
i’ve been trying more lately, with my girls, to talk less and listen more, let them guide.
and myself, i’ve tried to fill my world less with noise and have found my neverending playlist of surf music has been replaced with beautiful birdsong.
and can i just say….those are the most rocking outfits ever, especially your little one’s.
June 7, 2011
silence is soothing, and so are the sounds of NATURE!
love that you are getting outside and enjoying life, Cedar seems to fit right in along the trail
June 7, 2011
I’ve always enjoyed the lulls in conversation…seeing who the first person will be that can’t stand the silence anymore and simply must fill it. I find it fascinating what arb things ppl come up with to say!
June 7, 2011
Denise, you do have a quiet inner strength….those luminous hazel eyes convey that especially when I got to share time with you in person
This relocation so agrees with your spirit. Today, I will be quieter and wait for the wisdom….
June 8, 2011
love this photo!!!! silence…
June 8, 2011
My wise mentor once told me…”God gave us two ears and only one mouth because he intended for us to listen more and talk less.”
June 8, 2011
What a funny old place the universe is, how things (your words) happen just when you need them….at work last night I was at the brunt of comments about being very quiet and not chatty
it made me feel so sad because I know that inside and if you get to know the real me I am as chatty and bubbly as the next person, I just need to be comfortable with who I want to connect and express myself to. When I’m not in that space, everything I say comes out stupid and I feel even worse.
And WOW I’m lovin your dreads right now.
June 8, 2011
So often I find myself just “filling space” with words — most of my family is also quite verbal, and I kind of feel like I have to keep up with them by spouting words, often hyperbolic words. It is truly a discipline to be confident in myself and be silent if I have nothing to say or truly want to concentrate on another person. My dear friend Susan is so good at simply staying quiet and listening to me. She rarely even makes assenting noises to let me know she’s listening — she’s just confident that I know she’s present with me.
Thanks for this comment today. I am glad Hendrix’s words inspired and affirmed you too!
June 8, 2011
i completely understand how you feel, and feel very much the same. sending belated wishes and blessings to you and your family on your new home! how wonderfully magical – thanks for sharing your journey!
June 8, 2011
When I loved on my own, I relished the time I spent where there was no words. Not that I don’t love my husband but he is definitely a chatter box and sometimes it cna get to be a little bit much.
I also wanted to add, isn’t it funny how many more comments bloggers receive when you have a give away? It’s too bad you couldn’t have a give away for people who read and comment on a regular basis, as oppose to those who only show up and comment when they hear that they could possibly win free stuff.
June 9, 2011
someone just recently told me I was quiet. while she didn’t mean it that way, I took it as a compliment. I have noticed that as I grow older – I choose my words more carefully and have done away with unnecessary chatter.