A Week of Silence
I'm back. A week away from here is a long time for me.
I haven't gone on strike or decided this blog sucks too much of my time (though, if I were sane, I would certainly come to that conclusion). Rather, I've been away with my family at our friend's cabin in LaConner. We slept in; ate cheese and crackers for most our meals; spent hours on the beach; played games; had friends and family down. Just one work phone call for me, no internet, no food blogging or facebooking. As it turns out, that's just what the doctor ordered.
I'm an extrovert (surprise). I've come to the conclusion that Western culture favors extroverts--promotes them, humors them, values the way they "share everything" with everyone. So it's easy for extroverts to come out thinking they're pretty darn engaging. I'll never not be an extrovert, but I needed some time away from all the input and output in my life, some time to remember who I am apart from postings, comments, feedback, calendars, some time to engage with this self that's gotten distracted by the chatter.
You'll notice I'm back with the sharing. Please. I haven't gone that far. And I'm going to share this with you, this lovely quote from the mystic Diadochus of Photiki. It's cropped up many times in my life:
When the door of the steambath is continually left open, the heat inside rapidly escapes through it; likewise the soul, in its desire to say many things, dissipates the remembrance of God through the door of speech, even though everything it says may be good...Timely silence, then, is precious, for it is nothing less than the mother of the wisest thoughts.
I had a lot of time-stopping moments this week-- podcasts, books, poems, conversations, a concert, lying in bed with Yancey in the morning and listening to the kids pouring themselves cereal. I could write a whole post on each of them, but I'm not going to. I missed you, but I want to keep the warmth in for awhile longer. Humor me, will you? You know those extroverts--they're high maintenance, and there will be plenty of time to listen to them when they can't abide the silence any longer.
February 19, 2010
Reader Comments (10)
What a fabulous post! I had never thought about Western culture vs the extrovert before, but I think you're onto something. It certainly does seem to value independence a lot more than teamwork, for example (last night another Nigerian friend was telling me to find a husband...), and a blog is symptomatic of that. Curious!
So, either I've proven your point by replying in a confidently subjective manner, or I've failed to humour your silence by disturbing the blank space below this!
Rosie of BooksAndBakes
Sarah, as an introvert, I totally understand. I need a huge amount of time alone and in silence in order to function well in this world of extroverts. When I get it, all goes well. When I don't, well, a little less so. It's a yin/yang thing I guess. Just as you as an extrovert also need time away, I love time with people when I'm recharged.
So glad to have you back and so glad you got some quiet time along with time with your lovely family.
I like the steambath comparison.........very poignant.
I am like a steambath.....I let my soul out way too much and never stop talking.
I even talk to myself now. Anyone who will listen!
I even post from vacation, but maybe this time (March) while I away, I will take a much needed break from blabbing about everything I eat.
Hey, at least I don't twitter!
Welcome back!
Beautiful, perfect post.
Stay warm.
Love you.
I can completely relate. It's nice to step away for a bit. Most importantly, though, great boots.
thanks for letting me in on your week of silence. i, too, am an extrovert in need of some silence. letting me talk last week was very therapeutic. now for some silence. :)
I'm right there with you...and it's so very lovely when we extroverts can live in these moments and feel peace about it.
I'm a new reader (I linked from The Wednesday Chef on a whim) and very much enjoy your blog.
I think this article sums up the introvert/extrovert dichotomy better than anything I've read before, and it mentions, as you do, the over-representation of extroverts in American culture. I hope you like it: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200303/rauch
I have been thinking about that quote all week. Pondering the fact that I too can sometimes be an open book and share wayyyy too much at times. It's hard for us extroverts to find a balance sometimes. Like the fact that I want to comment about what I just did which is I looked at the word extrovert and it for some reason it didn't look right so I purposely misspelt the word after it... balance just to see if it was working. These are the things, ramblings that I wonder, should I share this with the world, a new friend, a fellow blogger?? All I can say is thank God for the delete button and I wish sometimes in life there was a delete button for when my mouth gets ahead of my brain.
As a fierce Introvert, I don't understand this. But I love this, immensely. And imagine! It's new to me. Thank you for sharing.