Too Many Words
We have grown uncomfortable with silence. Words, no longer an art, are used to paper over our discomfort. No longer a communion of essence, a fostering of community, words are merely elevator music no one’s listening to.
You can read the morning paper with devotion, but it’s not contemplative joy. You can offer a barrage of information to make your point, but it isn’t true education. The Latin, educare, means to draw out. The finer realm of elucidation is listening. It’s a form of deep respect, my wanting to hear and understand your feelings. Why you think the way you do is fascinating to me. I’m not threatened by our differences. I don’t need to convert you.
Words aren’t weapons, in a perfect world, and no one blames, shames, attacks, belittles or persecutes you for your opinions. Words are messengers. Their mission is to communicate (bridge-building). It sounds so simple, stated so simply. Free of judgement and entangled innuendo, convey your meaning directly and succinctly. Choose words wisely and carefully, like a poet. A poet makes it seem so easy ~ as any mastered skill looks effortless.
Don’t denigrate poetry and poets. Don’t say it’s stupid, meaningless, you don’t understand it. Just try it. Use your words to paint a panoramic picture of your landscape, your felt view, so we can see it and imagine it. Use your words to take us with you.
Plant your words tenderly, in good faith, and quietly watch them grow.
LBM 1/5/2022 {Addendum: There are two different Latin roots of the English word “education.” They are “educare,” which means to train or to mold, and “educere,” meaning to lead out.}
