“I think television has betrayed the meaning of democratic speech, adding visual chaos to the confusion of voices. What voice does silence have in all of this?” – Federico Fellini

A good question… This idea that silence is a part of our process.  It is the yang to the ying, the rests to the notes, and the pause to the run.  We Americans are losing the art of quiet, with all of our running off at the mouth.  should we say something when we’ve yet to consider the wealth of what has already been said?  And, to even speak without listening, or before knowing what thoughtful peace is worth, demonstrates our willingness to consider singularly, our own opinion.  No one… Let me say that again… No one knows enough wealth of thought to speak all of the time.

I value those who can be with me, and enjoy the silence.  I cherish those who can listen and not interrupt.  When I’ve watched recent televisions programs, it is clear that even the writers and directors have no understanding of the importance of simply shutting up, and letting a moment of silence say volumes.  (Are they in a rush to go to commercial?  Where is the story without time to think?)  I find myself walking away from news programs because I don’t see the participants listing to each other… They all seem to be waiting for a cue and that selfish moment to get their own words said.  It makes me wonder how much of television is cheap entertainment, and if other countries experience much the same thing.

For television, movement and voice should be a perfect duet without over-shadowing the other.  And, silence should and must be present because silent moments are so valuable for drawing the viewer into what is happening and communicated.  Whether it is National News or a weekly program of comedy, those presenting must recapture the importance of (pardon my) when they should shut up.  And if they did that, perhaps television would not be teaching and reinforcing the idea that talking is the only thing that  can communicate.  Silence is an art in and of itself.  Can we please recapture it?  Can we return to its use in our communication skills? Let us hope so!  Peace, my friends…  Silence re-kindled.  For it is in the silent moments that we find our words, the correct ones!

May your day be filled with moments of sweet silence, and in those moments, may you and I be renewed.

Best…

Carolyn Thomas Temple