Long before we understand someone’s words, we begin reading their eyes.
Field Notes
Every conversation starts before anyone speaks.
We instinctively search another person’s eyes for safety, sincerity, fear, curiosity, joy, grief, exhaustion, or love. In a fraction of a second, our brains begin gathering information that no sentence could fully explain.
Our pupils widen with interest. Tiny muscles around the eyes reveal genuine smiles. Eye movements help us follow another person’s attention, allowing us to share experiences long before language enters the picture.
Words can be carefully chosen.
Eyes are much harder to rehearse.
Perhaps that’s why some of our deepest conversations happen in complete silence.