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Silence.

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Silence is a powerful expression. One that is feared, misunderstood, and misjudged. Within silence, we can find deep thought. We can explore the pangs of our feelings and pause to build the skills needed to interpret them. Silence can hold joy. It can temper our tongues so we taste happiness, which we do not do often enough. Silence can force consideration or cause us to realize what we had sworn we would never. Silence can cut, oh so tragically deep. It can cleave our hearts into shreds and stare coldly at us as the torn tatters slip through our fingertips. 

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Silence is power, it is impotence, it is connection, it is isolation. 

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We do not think of silence in all its facets as we should. Mostly, we fill silence because silence requires us to come forward naked. It begs us to be seen as we are, emotive without the cover of words. Silence shows us how we see ourselves, how we would or wouldn’t show up, and who matters when nothing else does. 

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On stage, silence demonstrates prowess. A speaker who can skillfully embrace silence is one who understands speaking. They are not timid or tactless. They are to be appreciated. Those who lace silence into their speeches respect their audiences, the needs they have, and that silence grants us the space to understand. These people have worked to get here. Likely filling silence and lessening their lessons, until one day they realized. 

I wonder if they employ that silence as they navigate the spaces of their lives. Do they pause when angered? Do they deepen their hearts with others by opening them without filling nothing into the everything of silence? Do they push those around them by challenging discourse with nothing? 

I’ve come to value silence and its complexity. There are times when it tugs at my impatience or kicks me more than I would like, but I see it fully. It is a tool used to show someone where they stand. It is a sign of respect. It is a breath taken before a big leap. It is a moment to gather our thoughts. It is cold and warm. It is knowing and confusion. 

Silence is a power unto itself.

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Silence can also be fearless.