Kate's Voice

Choosing the right word…that can be a challenge.  Today I reflected on this poem from the Tao te Ching and remembered also the power of silence.

In the beginning of heaven and earth

There were no words,

Words came out of the womb of matter

And whether a man dispassionately

Sees to the core of life

Or passionately sees the surface

The core and the surface

Are essentially the same,

Words making them seem different

Only to express appearance.

If name be needed, wonder names them both:

From wonder into wonder, existence opens.

How many times a day do I clear my throat?  Actually, I have a habit of clearing my throat when I get nervous.  I can never seem to get a clear throat until I start speaking or singing, so I know it’s nerves.  However, yesterday I paid attention to throat clearing.  I was standing in line at the fast food counter and noticed that the person next to me had some laryngitis and a runny nose.  Now, I have to say I was not happy to be next to them in line, but putting that aside, I observed how they ordered a large cold soda with plenty of ice.  I almost interrupted and said, “Don’t do that!!!” I also noticed how much they were clearing their throat and wanted to recommend that they drink a large glass of water instead.  Then, later, I observed that I too was feeling a need to clear my throat, so I immediately drank a glass of water.  It really is wonderful how quickly that works to get the frogs out!  The reason this works well is that it provides lubrication fairly quickly, which is what one is usually needing when one’s throat becomes clogged.  Of course, sometimes, it’s just nerves!!