Eloquence is the power to translate a truth into language perfectly
intelligible to the person to whom you speak. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
This young man is learning how to do a demanding sword dance (notice the books on the floor). Like developing the eloquence of speech, knowledge and understanding is needed first, then comes practice. Words can cut and cause harm or healing; they can sever ties of injustice or bonds of friendship. They have power. The tale of Whale and Starfish involves a lie told for what the Starfish saw as the greater good. Yet as with most half-truths, physical and emotional damage was the end result. It was an effort to avoid conflict rather than an effort to resolve differences. As attorney Vibeke N. Martin explains, "Honesty and truthfulness are not the same thing. Being honest means not telling lies. Being truthful means actively making known all the full truth of a matter." Telling the whole truth requires eloquence, patience, and kindness. It is very much a sword dance.
his ritualist dance looks very cathartic. We have to be very good at something in the first place to get to this point in the journey. In some respects changing it totally from its original intent or focus.
ReplyDeleteMakes me think of the shows like The Voice or American Idol where the singers are praised not only for singing well, but for making a song their own.
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