Low self esteem, false pride or the habit of caution may prevent us saying what needs to be said......
We may stop listening to ourselves and, in the process, be reluctant to speak our Truth
Instead, clamour for attention, demanding from others the respect we fail to give ourselves.
Then we settle for illusion, and perhaps we'll label it love.
We may shy away from shadows, convincing ourselves and the world that prudence not fear dictates our actions.
Hidden behind walls of 'good manners', we may weep to be heard, but when our tears are secrets and our weeping is silent, who can hear?
If we aren't listening to ourselves, how can others know the Truth of what we feel, imagine, hope and dream?
If nobody knows, we are lonely prisoners of our own fears, trapped by the silence that seems to protect.

When, however, we listen with our hearts and hear the echoes of each other's souls, we can tune into the voice of wisdom.
We can share the dream and the vision and the fears with courage. We can weep together without shame and, by truly connecting, and communicate at level
of being that transcends mere personality and habit.
When we are able to look, and willing to be seen at this profound level, an absence of words will be so full of meaning and so rich with possibility
that the silence will both complete and contain us.

HERE'S a less thoughtful thought...

GOTCHA!

A minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17."

The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands.

He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17.

Every hand went up. The minister smiled and said, "Mark has only 16 chapters. I will now
proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying."