It seems I’ve spent the last 6 months in a constant state of reset and one of the things I’ve come to cherish as part of this process is silence.
It happened by accident, at women’s retreat, where the first 12 hours were spent in complete silence. We didn’t stop living or doing, but we did stop talking. And I was surprised at how it brought me closer to my thoughts and emotions. How it forced me to slow down and look inside. But most importantly, how my spirit cracked open just enough to feel God’s presence in a new and refreshing way.
Silence has been a scarcity in my life, and I’m sure it is in yours also. Between parenting, work, and juggling life in general, I’ve spent far more time in chaos and noise. It wasn’t until one aspect of noise was removed that I realized all the clanging and banging I intentionally invited into my day, over and over again.
But now, I’m learning to seek out silence. Not because my life is empty and not because I lack friends or a social life. I’m seeking it out because it nourishes me in places nothing else can reach. In the escape, I’m reminded of how much bigger life in the silence of now as opposed to the unrest of yesterday or the constant ticker tape of tomorrow.
Hope grows where silence is allowed to multiply. Share on XI remember a time when silence created a sense of boredom. When it made me fidgety and impatient to busy myself. All too well, I remember silence creating a sense of discontent as I struggled with being in the presence of ME.
Silence has become my first step when I want to begin the process of resetting things in my life. When I need to think through an issue. When I need to change my perspective. It helps me slow down and become mindful of my breathing. cognizant of my thoughts and all the rabbit holes they travel down. Aware of my emotions and my distractions.
I feel happier when I make space for silence.
The chaos and frustrations take a back seat because they just don’t seem so important. The stress is diminished, and I am able to sift through my thoughts with a broader brush stroke of grace to myself and to others.
When I choose silence even for a few minutes, I notice a difference in my energy and my focus. I’m less conscious of where I’ve failed and more in tune to where I can improve.
Silence moves me toward compassion and forgiveness where no amount of doing ever could. Share on XIn silence, the world seems kinder, the problems smaller and the future brighter.
So, in the process of resetting aspects of my life through the summer months, I’m trying to be more intentional in seeking out opportunities for silence. I’m not so much changing how I go about my day as much as I’m removing the background noise. Not all the time, but to be honest, the more I remove, the more I value the peacefulness of silence.
Hope grows where silence is allowed to multiply.
Take a walk and listen for the crunch beneath your feet and the brush of air as you move.
Relax near water and allow the trickles to soothe your thoughts.
Watch the sunrise or the sunset and take notice of the gratitude and emotions nature evokes.
Take time to stare out the window and own the present.
Make time to cook a meal in silence and feel the flow of preparation.
Drive without the radio and take notice of scenery.
Write in a journal and be aware of your thoughts as you listen to the etching of the pen.
Read a book in silence and watch the words jump fresh.
Grab a blanket to star gaze and listen to the night sounds.
Write a letter to a friend and allow kindness and compassion space in your awareness.
Sit quietly with a cup of coffee or tea and embrace the stillness of the day.
So let’s start summer off with the intention to step forward by giving silence its rightful place in our day. Allowing even small, planned snippets will begin to create space for resetting.
Because life is too short to allow it to be consumed with the clutter of noise.
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