The semicolon. It’s probably one of the least-used types of punctuation in written language. I’m not quite sure what the reason for that is. Maybe we just don’t know what to do with it or when to use it. Maybe we should treat it with a little more respect like the period, or the exclamation point, or even the *gasp* Oxford comma. I’m a self-proclaimed grammar nerd so I could talk about this allllll day.
But anyway…
When, exactly, should a semicolon be used? We use it when we want to create a pause in our writing – a pause more pronounced than a comma. We use it when we want to create space.
A pause. Space. Two very effective five-letter words.
Now. If we truly think about it, we are writing our days and our lives one moment/day/experience at a time…and maybe sometimes we need that semicolon. We need that pause.
A pause can refresh us. It can create space between the world around us and the world inside of us…space between the things we want and the things we need…space between the things that hold us back and the things that propel us forward.
When we pause, we aren’t stopping. We are simply taking time to quiet the noise around us and within us. We become more mindful, intentional, and non-judgmental. We become more reflective and less reactive. We simply become more grounded and connected.
Let me say that again (a little louder)…when we pause, we aren’t stopping. I know so many of us are afraid to break our momentum for fear that we won’t be able to accomplish the things we want…and we feel that NOT continuing is a weakness. Trust me, it isn’t.
One more time for good measure – when we pause, we aren’t stopping. We are creating space. Now, often times we see space and have the need to fill it, whether it is with physical or tangible things or simply with thoughts and words. We see space as emptiness when, in fact, it is already filled with so much potential.
Sometimes we are tired, emotionally and physically.
Sometimes we have difficult conversations.
Sometimes people anger us.
Sometimes the world tells us no.
Embrace the pause. Welcome the space. Use that semicolon. Your high school English teacher will thank you.
Teacher-Life-Coach 