G(r)owing frugal with my words

 

CALM IS A SUPERPOWER

Candor can be my thing when the vibes match. But of late, I’m also savoring the goodness of letting muted words take a stroll in my mind. Often a mouthful and always in a rush, they are free to roll and ride, get all ‘cheeky’, ‘hit the roof’ and even go looking for some ‘wisdom’, as long as they tango behind the confines of a subtle smile.

The thoughts that come dunked in these words stare me in the eye, say they feel deprived. But I reason hard. A 10-word vocab is enough to glide through most cursory and customary exchanges in a day, I say. Okay 50, at best 100, I relent. The thoughts circle wild, flex their muscles, gush to spill out and I know why.

So, I laboriously explain one more time. Silence cannot be misquoted, nor misconstrued when it’s sealed with a benign smile. And the benefits are obvious and plenty. Buttoned up lips prevent unintended verbal spillages, pull the plug off arguments and, as a co-benefit, spare my lungs the much-befouled air in this day and time! And when I turn the volume down on my words, I see the feelings stoking them settle down and dissipate, a magic balm for any tormented mind.

Ever wondered how a monosyllabic baby giggles and gurgles its way into our hearts? That’s the language of love, though bereft of words.  The thing with words is they are potent and carry not just their own weight but also the unjust burden of interpretations. Often lost in translation, they get ensnared in wrangles that feed nothing but insatiable egos. So, if not for any good, why unleash them and empty them of their true meaning? 

These days I prefer sitting with silence instead, our arms wrapped around each other, even as some bruised thoughts feverishly froth beneath, bubble up to the surface and quietly recede when starved of words. And what’s your vent, you may ask. Well, words are also my tranquil succour. So, I’d rather  plate them sensibly and serve them right.