The POWER of silence

Silence - something so many of us run from. We fear silence because we do not know what lies ahead. We feel the need to fill in all the gaps - afraid of what may fill the space if we don't. I have been around people who fear Silence. It makes them uncomfortable and they question or fear what lies ahead. I have learned to love the Silence. It says so much if we are willing to listen. Have you ever been around someone in great pain? Their pain makes us uncomfortable so we feel the need to fill the silence, but what would happen if we just allowed them to absorb that silence? That silence is the place of learning for both of us. It allows them to truely feel and experience their feelings. It allows us to comfort and support - no words are needed - they will usually only fall on deaf ears. People in pain can usually not hear. I have had to learn how to love the silence because I, like most people was taught to rush through the silence and fill all the gaps. The silence made us uncomfortable. Now I just listen and give the person the space they need to share. Silence has taught me so much about others but more importantly about myself. My challenge for you today is to allow the silence - sit in it - experience it. What did you learn by allowing the silence? How did the other person react?