Silence ...

 

"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies,

but the silence of our friends."

Martin Luther King, Jr

Silence can be a welcomed response when we need a person to simply be present in our space, but not when voice is given to concern. If we express our inner feelings to a person that is directly involved, and they minimize or deliberately do not respond, 'no response is a response'. Silence delivers the unspoken message.

When we are not heard, there is a tendency to criticize ourselves. Our reaction may be telling ourselves we are being too needy or excessively sensitive when in actuality, we need to hold this other person accountable. We need to determine if the quiet response was based on a lack of concern and interest. 

When our disclosures go unaddressed, it is time to adjust the boundaries of relationship. Silence may be the answer our heart is avoiding. If we pursue relationships where we are continuously met with silence, our self-respect and sense of safety become diminished. It may be time to invest our energy into those who willingly partake in our journey.