Peace of Quiet

I am talking about comfortable silences, and what makes them so comfortable. Silence is usually accompanied by an uneasy pressure to break the silence. Two or more people cannot sit in silence because it is felt and perceived to be awkward and/or boring. I think it is only that way because it is so unnatural to us. Our culture's pace is so rapid and constantly changing, that any kind of quiet unchanging thing happening must mean something is wrong, or wrong with me.

Think about this the next time you're with someone, eating dinner. When a minute goes by without talking, the pressure intensifies and you hope you or she thinks of something to say. God forbid she think you're boring. The quiet can become so stressful.

This leads to my next point. It is also believed that shy people, quiet people are the most insecure. I think it's quite the opposite. The ones talking all the time are constantly scared, trying to fill the moment, and change what you think of them. With each word, they are saying 'no think this about me, no wait this, now this'. It's ok just to be. You were made in the image of God.You don't need to make yourself into anything with your many words.

Silences are natural, and should be comfortable. But they can only become comfortable when there is nothing expected of you, no pressure. Then it becomes so peaceful and relaxing just to be quiet.

Shhhhh.....