Reading between the lines

The old adage that not making a choice is still making one applies perfectly to how we communicate.

Because what remains unsaid can carry just as much weight as our words.

Consider how it feels when someone asks a simple carry-on question like “Where do you live?” or “What do you do?” and doesn’t respond to your answer.

It’s obvious they don’t genuinely care about your response.

Or consider that what’s left unsaid–with intention–can be just as powerful. When someone avoids shallow cliches or certain topics entirely–and deliberately asks questions that make the conversation meaningful–it can have a big impact on how we engage.

Alas, communicating intelligibly isn’t just about what we say and how we say it. It’s about listening with our ears and with our eyes and with our hearts. And acknowledging that what’s left unsaid can be just as significant as the words that are spoken.