Is being Silent Better than more words?

Philippines
June 23, 2007 8:21am CST
In my nursing career, silence is used for our clients as a form of therapeutic communication. When used well in our day to day existence depending on how the situation is ,SILENCE is more soothing to the soul as harsh words could only do more harm or damages. I was reminded by my nurse clinician in my heydays in the university that a dignified nurse should always be eloquent and even in her words should always be careful as a part of the healing ministry,it should not only be our uniform and persona that could exude a healing aura but the way we communicate.Thus, we were thought to utilize silence in our communication. There is this once incident that occured to my colleague. My senior colleague doesn't communicate to the relatives and explained the diagnosis of the patient to them. Instead she referred the querrying relative about the illness of our sick patient to his doctor.Just imagine if you divulge and explain erronous information to these relatives. It would be disastrous aside from crossing the line of privelege communication. Foremost, I got an experience of a cancer patient. He is dying and his relatives had already signed the consent for not resuscitating him.On his fifth day that he was so critical, he held my hand and I could almost cry. He knows he's going and I was so busy carrying out the doctors order. He gestured,his hands lifting up to his mouth. Somehow he knew that I didn't ate yet and he is referring to me to eat my lunch. I just nod and gestured I am OK and need to be with him to monitor his conditions.That was the most gentle gesture from a dying patient I had ever experience. Even in his last breath he knows how to care and be considerate. That made me realize his action speaks more than a thousand words.Silence is really more eloquent than mere empty words! What about you guys, do you believe that being silent is better than words and why...Everyone is welcome for this discussion!
3 responses
• Philippines
23 Jun 07
Yeah.. sometimes being Silent helps.. ^_^
• Philippines
23 Jun 07
Yes for sure...Plus add it with your sweetest smile it would add mystery in it!
@chello63 (305)
• Philippines
23 Jun 07
yes, sometimes being quiet can make it good rather to be utter a words that can make other misunderstand it.
• India
23 Jun 07
You are right. Silence is really better than speaking. When we speak, we waste energy so the Doctors always suggest the patient not to talk when they are ill. If a patient keeps quit during illness that means he/she is saving energy indirectly. This saving will help in getting cured faster. If the patient is allowed to talk or act as per his/her wish then extra energy will be required and getting cure will affect definitely. In many religion, the saints keeps quit for some time or days or month so that they can save the energy and use it for their some achievement. God bless you very happy life and good health as you are serving the humanity by full zeal and skill.
• Philippines
23 Jun 07
I wonder if you're a doctor, the way you see silence is very much in line with the medical profession.I like your term of silence...It has a deeper meaning of preservation for another stress to come in our life. I give back more wish of blessings to you!Cheerio!