Silence is Golden

Much has been written on listening.  Studies have been done; papers have been published.  There are listening skills.  Active listening.  Empathic listening.

The thing about listening is it requires someone to be talking.  Don't get me wrong, I'm all for good conversation.  But too often what you're listening to is idle chitchat.  Jibber-jabber.  I think most people are so uncomfortable in the quiet company of others, they feel compelled to fill the empty space with meaningless ramblings.

Now, I rarely experience a moment of silence.  I love blasting music that vibrates the floor under my feet.  Or the TV is on.  If it's quiet, I probably have a headache.  I wish I could say I'm meditating, but that's still on my to do list.

Given my propensity to fill the empty spaces with great noise, the most important times I've spent have been in total silence.  Sitting quietly with people as they spent their last moments on earth.  The ultimate altruistic act.

Maybe the best way to improve conversational skills has nothing to do with the art of listening.  It's realizing when you have exhausted meaningful conversation and you quit talking.  I'm just saying, you don't have to wait until I'm dying to sometimes just sit quietly in my company.