Friday, March 23, 2007

My silent world

These days my actions do speak louder than words. I know that adage stands whether it's the past, present, or future, but what I mean is that I am speaking less and less.

Years of listening and speaking against the backdrop of severe and profound hearing loss, is to say the least, tiring. That's why I always look forward to solitude. I love waking moments when I do not need to say or listen to anything. I love running in the quiet of the morning with muted headlights and traffic going by. These are moments when songs of praise will fill my mind, when I would reflect on things I had no time for.

I wonder if it's just me or do people actually learn or yearn to speak less as they age. Whilst the current norm is to be outspoken, vocal, and to speak your mind, I tend to go the other way. It's not that I am lazy or have no opinions, but given a choice, I would rather listen or do something than speak. Speaking, to me, is overrated. Didn't the Bible urge us to listen more and speak less? Look at James 1:19 "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry". Again, in Proverbs 10:19, it is written "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."

Being deaf does have its rewards. For one, it helps me appreciate the beauty of holding back, speaking less and listening more.

Silence, appreciate it before it becomes practically impossible in this noise-filled world.

Thomas

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Thomas,

In silence God speaks to us. We hear what He is trying to say to us especially in silence.

Lawrence Tan
www.thsc.com.sg

Thomas WH Tan said...

Thanks for your encouraging words, Lawrence. Yes, I agree God speaks when we are ready to listen. Nice to meet you online. Coincidentally, my youngest brother has the same name as you :)