If you have ever heard the phrase, ‘still waters run deep’, it was probably used in relation to someone that had an external persona of being a ‘quiet person’. While the person that this phrase described probably would present as a quiet individual, chances are that once they open, they are far from boring.

In fact, this phrase has been used primarily to describe people who are far from uninteresting. Individuals who do not draw a lot of attention to themselves, and although they maintain cool and collected exteriors, their eyes betray the intensity and thought that lurks beneath. The kind of people who are completely content to not voice their opinion at the table, but instead soak in every detail so as to take into consideration everything that is going on.

How Does Water Relate To People?
These people could be described as guarded, but most likely they just lack an overall interest to draw attention to themselves. That being said, there is a surprisingly fine line between deep and shallow water when the surface is as calm as this. If a person who is quite like deep waters isn’t interesting, or boring - then what makes them so?

The answer comes down to willingness and timing. A person who is described as being still like deep waters is not someone who is void of movement. In fact, the term itself indicates a heightened state of activity. The seeming paradox of passion thought, and energy in relation to the stillness of the water’s surface is wrapped up in the knowledge of what deep water implies.

Deep bodies of water are not devoid of movement. Currents running far beneath the surface of the water keep the contents of these large bodies moving and fresh. In fact, the deeper a body of water is the more chances of there being these underwater currents. These currents are vitally important to helping a body of water stay healthy and avoid stagnation.

People Who Are Like Deep Water Exhibit Self Control
A shallow body of water will also exhibit movement, but there is so little distance between this movement and surface, that it is immediately noticeable. This is not the case with someone who is described as deep water. For them, they see what is going on, they take note, they process and feel and are even passionate - but they are also completely in control of their self-expression.

It’s not that the people described by this phrase don’t have anything to say, it’s that they are willing to wait till the opportune time to say it.

Benefit and Challenge of People Who Are Like Deep Water
The best thing about having a friend or a loved one who can be described this way is that they are almost always good listeners. They think deeply about what is going on, and when they do open up they always bring something worth listening to. However, these kinds of friends and loved ones can easily be overlooked.

The challenge of maintaining a friendship with people who are quiet, deep thinkers is that they can’t be pushed in either direction. For instance, you can’t overemphasize or highlight someone who is more comfortable listening and soaking in a conversation. By bringing too much attention, you may push them into a place of retreating and put them out of their comfort zone.

At the same time, however, you have to be careful to not exclude them for being reserved. If you are in an environment where it’s easy to fall into the background and become part of the static, it can be a challenge to affirm your quiet friends and make them feel welcome.

One of the best methods of making sure that your quiet friends feel empowered and not forgotten is to spend one on one time with them learning how they operate. This kind of intentionality may involve some extra effort, but it can be well worth it to develop a deep friendship with someone who cares and thinks deeply about life.

Don’t be intimidated to talk to your friends that are deep thinkers. They may prefer to be more reserved and quiet, however, that doesn’t indicate that they are insecure. In fact, if they can be described by this phrase they are probably very far from insecure. This means that they can handle direct questions and are more than capable of helping you understand them.