The Sweet Serenade of Friendly Silence
What is that uncomfortable urging we get when we are sitting in silence? A lot of times when I am sitting alone or with someone and there is no noise, none whatsoever, I get extremely anxious. Why? What is this desire inside of us to make noise, any noise, to relieve ourselves of being uncomfortable? If you don’t know what I am talking about go find a friend that you know well enough to actually hold conversation with but you couldn’t tell me his/her sibling's birthdays or parent's first names, and then get in a room with that person and just be… don’t say anything, just sit there in silence.
Recently, I have been put into positions where I am not in close contact with a majority of my “friend résumé” if you will, and I have started to desire nothing more than the presence of someone that I know, a familiar face, a shimmer of light in the darkness of strangers. I ask myself, “Why can’t I get the same feelings around these people that I seemingly get around my friends?” I know that I could go out and make friends, but there is a long time period between friend and acquaintance that we so often take for granted when stuck in a small area together and are told to live in “community”.
I mean, I am in a huge room filled with strangers and I don’t say a single word. Do I feel uncomfortable? No, I am ok with saying nothing because to these people, who wouldn’t know me from Adam, I have nothing to say. I am constantly waiting for them to start what will eventually be described as that first awkward conversation we had so that eventually I can get to the point where not talking around them becomes uncomfortable.
You know, all I really want is someone that I know, and I mean really know to be there. They don’t have to say anything. They just have to be around me so that I know that no matter what happens, if I get in a pinch they will rescue me from the sad state I have gotten myself into. I can’t expect a stranger to see me lying on the street in a pool of my own blood and not only call a doctor but also pay my hospital bills.
Anyways, what I really want to say is this: The next time you are with your friends, enjoy the uncomfortable silence that you sit in. Because you can get these feelings no other place. It is a great thing when you learn to appreciate it. So, thrive on these silences and allow them to bring out the love and devotion you have for your friends.
Thaddeus Toad
Recently, I have been put into positions where I am not in close contact with a majority of my “friend résumé” if you will, and I have started to desire nothing more than the presence of someone that I know, a familiar face, a shimmer of light in the darkness of strangers. I ask myself, “Why can’t I get the same feelings around these people that I seemingly get around my friends?” I know that I could go out and make friends, but there is a long time period between friend and acquaintance that we so often take for granted when stuck in a small area together and are told to live in “community”.
I mean, I am in a huge room filled with strangers and I don’t say a single word. Do I feel uncomfortable? No, I am ok with saying nothing because to these people, who wouldn’t know me from Adam, I have nothing to say. I am constantly waiting for them to start what will eventually be described as that first awkward conversation we had so that eventually I can get to the point where not talking around them becomes uncomfortable.
You know, all I really want is someone that I know, and I mean really know to be there. They don’t have to say anything. They just have to be around me so that I know that no matter what happens, if I get in a pinch they will rescue me from the sad state I have gotten myself into. I can’t expect a stranger to see me lying on the street in a pool of my own blood and not only call a doctor but also pay my hospital bills.
Anyways, what I really want to say is this: The next time you are with your friends, enjoy the uncomfortable silence that you sit in. Because you can get these feelings no other place. It is a great thing when you learn to appreciate it. So, thrive on these silences and allow them to bring out the love and devotion you have for your friends.
Thaddeus Toad
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