In the northern states where I reside, we are experiencing our first major snow storm. It has been snowing for six hours but it is the type of snow that is light and fluffy and easy to shovel. I know because I just spent the last hour moving snow off my walk and driveway so more could fall. I like shoveling at night because it is not really dark out as a resut of the snow, and it is so very quiet. As I was moving the snow, I started to ponder the dichotomy of silence. Silence can be extremely peaceful, and relaxing, yet sometimes silence can be very frightening. Any silence in a scary movie, like Wait Until Dark with Audrey Hepburn in which silence, and darkness are both used very effectively, is one example. Silence is also terrifying when someone is upset with another but absolutely no words are spoken. I know this worked for me, as a parent and as a teacher. In fact, I always received more cooperation if I did not say a word, as opposed to expressing myself with frustration, out loud. I have to admit, I did not always use silence as an effective tool for expressing myself. At times, especially in the classroom, I yelled, and have yet to determine the benefit of such an act. I live across from a school and I often hear adults yelling at students and I never really can figure out why. Truly, it is more of a reaction, ineffective as it is, instead of a response. Silence, provides the time to choose the best response. It really works well, and is so much better for the soul. Speaking of the soul, the other side of silence, is peace. It does not matter if silence is used for tension, or for relaxation, it still leads to peace. 
