What if.. we heard them?

What if we saved our kind advice, stopped suggesting solutions, and instead of searching for words, listened instead? Not just hearing, really listening, opening our hearts with empathy to really try and gleam an idea of the feelings being expressed.

What if we all listened to the gaps between the words that were spoken, and noticed the silent cracks of the almost broken, as they spill quietly searching for understanding? Making room in our thoughts exclusively, to hear their voice over our own internal chattering.

What if instead of trying to fix things that are irreparable, we reached out with the intention of fully appreciating the perspective of another; acknowledging their pain and frustration, so that they might be able to let it go, with the assurance you know how much it mattered, because you truly heard them.

{Photo sadly uncredited, via Pinterest; words ~Hayley Darby 20.Nov.2012}

Words unsaid

Have you ever wondered which hurts the most: saying something and wishing you had not, or saying nothing, and wishing you had?

I think for me it’s the things I wish I’d said but didn’t quite manage to utter; those words that stuck in my throat for fear of being quickly dismissed, or simply glossed over, or stared at sorrowfully, or even smiled at pityingly; but that still meant what they would have said.

Those words that were afraid to cause pain or distress, yet held within them a truth unconfessed. Those words that might have been a soothing balm, yet were too afraid in case they were the cause of harm. Those words that wanted to ring clear and true, amid the mists obscuring the view.

Those words that wanted to fly up my throat, force through my tonsils, slide down my tongue and quickly escape, leaping to expression; yet were imprisoned securely, incase they were a mistake. They stuck in my teeth momentarily biting my tongue, before slinking away to from whence they came, sliding back down to my heart, to wait patiently, for another chance.
~ Hxx

{Picture sadly uncredited via Pinterest, Words ~Hayley Darby 31.Aug.2012}