More Than Words
Let us take a moment and think about the words we use for the simple act of communication. We use speech, writing, gestures, text messages, signs, and other various tools just to convey something to someone. We are social beings, for the most part, and occasionally must satisfy the urge to reach out. So, we invented a series of sounds to represent the tangible and intangible. We took these sounds and taught it to each other and gave it the name "language." We created symbols that represent sounds and, when these symbols are put together, create something we call words. Learning the sounds and symbols and what they can do together is an in-depth, complicated process that can take years to master.
One the rudiments of language acquisition have been practiced enough, we consider ourselves to be fluent. Many of us are fluent in two or more languages. I have always been envious of those who with the ability to think in their minds two or more languages and wish I could be better at it. I would argue that understanding the language of machines, that we also invented to interact with non-living things, is another example of being multi-lingual. Here is the rub. As a species, we have spent so much time building on our language, how much have we developed our ability to truly decipher and differentiate the speaker from the speech?
For example, how many words that were spoken to you today can you recall? Ask yourself, why do you remember them? Were you focused on the terms, the message or the person speaking? Why have you forgotten the other words? Were they not essential and just wasted air? Were they just not important enough for you to remember? I do understand the need for the brain to filter out useless fluff. However, I ask this question for us to think about what exactly we are valuing with our interactions.
The other thing to rattle around in our skulls is how we use our words. Communication aside, I want you to think deeply about how you use your words, especially with someone who you are not in agreement with. Can we differ our words meant to harm from those intended to help? Are we using what we say slander others to bring out truths of deceits? Are you spreading a lie based on thin facts, or do you have the proven truth to support what you say? This is a bit dodgy because we are passionate about something. The trouble is, as humans, we are all biased in one way or another. Call it political, religious, cultural, sexual, or racial preferencing, we all have a tendency to talk about things through a biased lens, especially when we are passionate about something.
Since we are speaking of passion, there is another level of how we use our words. When you are genuinely interested in someone, are you using your words with the intent for a narrow purpose or a truly more profound level of intimacy? When you talk to someone with who you want to be intimate, where do your words lead? Do they go to their soul, their heart, or just to their physical being? Are you using the same words you have to so many others, or just for this one person? When it comes to matters of the heart, so many of us have experienced the words to make us feel like we are desired and then to find out it wasn't true. Those of us who have experienced this become somewhat caustic, maybe even jaded.
Here is the thing about language and how we use it. If we are being honest, we need to take the time to look inside before speaking. We sometimes need to count to five or fifty before reacting. If we are trying to convince, listen first. If we are trying to communicate our passion, listen. If we are trying to express our deepest feelings to someone, make sure you are being honest with yourself first. One cannot be open or even loved if we cannot listen and love ourselves. Ever.
One the rudiments of language acquisition have been practiced enough, we consider ourselves to be fluent. Many of us are fluent in two or more languages. I have always been envious of those who with the ability to think in their minds two or more languages and wish I could be better at it. I would argue that understanding the language of machines, that we also invented to interact with non-living things, is another example of being multi-lingual. Here is the rub. As a species, we have spent so much time building on our language, how much have we developed our ability to truly decipher and differentiate the speaker from the speech?
For example, how many words that were spoken to you today can you recall? Ask yourself, why do you remember them? Were you focused on the terms, the message or the person speaking? Why have you forgotten the other words? Were they not essential and just wasted air? Were they just not important enough for you to remember? I do understand the need for the brain to filter out useless fluff. However, I ask this question for us to think about what exactly we are valuing with our interactions.
The other thing to rattle around in our skulls is how we use our words. Communication aside, I want you to think deeply about how you use your words, especially with someone who you are not in agreement with. Can we differ our words meant to harm from those intended to help? Are we using what we say slander others to bring out truths of deceits? Are you spreading a lie based on thin facts, or do you have the proven truth to support what you say? This is a bit dodgy because we are passionate about something. The trouble is, as humans, we are all biased in one way or another. Call it political, religious, cultural, sexual, or racial preferencing, we all have a tendency to talk about things through a biased lens, especially when we are passionate about something.
Since we are speaking of passion, there is another level of how we use our words. When you are genuinely interested in someone, are you using your words with the intent for a narrow purpose or a truly more profound level of intimacy? When you talk to someone with who you want to be intimate, where do your words lead? Do they go to their soul, their heart, or just to their physical being? Are you using the same words you have to so many others, or just for this one person? When it comes to matters of the heart, so many of us have experienced the words to make us feel like we are desired and then to find out it wasn't true. Those of us who have experienced this become somewhat caustic, maybe even jaded.
Here is the thing about language and how we use it. If we are being honest, we need to take the time to look inside before speaking. We sometimes need to count to five or fifty before reacting. If we are trying to convince, listen first. If we are trying to communicate our passion, listen. If we are trying to express our deepest feelings to someone, make sure you are being honest with yourself first. One cannot be open or even loved if we cannot listen and love ourselves. Ever.
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