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I speak to these people, and I speak to you because I cannot help it. It gives me strength, almost unbelievable strength, to know that you are there. I covet your eyes, your ears, the collapsible space between us. How blessed are we to have each other? I am alive and you are alive so we must fill the air with our words. I will fill today, tomorrow, every day until I am taken back to God. I will tell stories to people who will listen and to people who don't want to listen, to people who seek me out and to those who run. All the while I will know that you are there. How can I pretend that you do not exist? It would be almost as impossible as you pretending that I do not exist.

Dave Eggers#23

CommunicationConnectionLifePresenceStorytelling

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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker finds immense strength in the presence of others and feels compelled to share stories and words while alive.
In plain terms
Knowing others are present gives strength, so fill the air with words and stories.
What can you take from it?
Connect through communication and storytelling while you have the chance.

Where it applies

  • speaking to an audience
  • feeling isolated
  • seeking connection

Putting it to work

  • share stories openly
  • engage with listeners regardless of their intent

Questions to consider

  • How does knowing others care affect your speech?
  • What stories do you feel compelled to tell?

Another view

Not everyone will want to listen to your words.

More from Dave Eggers

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  2. The pain is not great. But the symbolism is disagreeable.

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  3. Humans are divided between those who can still look through the eyes of youth and those who cannot. Though it causes me frequent pain, I find it very easy to p…

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