We live in a world where we really have to purposefully “unplug” and plan our days accordingly if we want to find even a moment or two of silence. Unless we live far away from the human-driven noise pollution of the cities and suburbs, these moments of quiet can be hard to come by. And because we don’t experience them often, we sometimes forget what to do with silence when we finally find ourselves in the midst of it. Quiet can drive us crazy if we don’t see it coming. Some folks can’t stand to NOT have the TV or radio on because they need something to tell them that they are alive and not alone.
But if we can learn to nurture quiet in our lives and seek it out on a regular basis, we can allow ourselves to be embraced by it and all that it holds. And what does it hold? It holds a better realization of our most authentic selves. It holds the opportunity to listen to our own hearts beating and feel the breathing in and breathing out of our very beings. It holds awareness of God, of the One who was and is and always will be, the One who sees and knows us just as we are and welcomes and loves us anyway. It holds a message of meaning and purpose and call. It holds everything that matters, but only if we can quiet ourselves enough to listen.
Ask yourself in silence: What’s the role of quiet in my life? Do I run from it or embrace it?
4 comments On Today’s Word: Quiet
Dear Steve,
Thanks for much for this reflection.Really enjoyed it because quiet is a big part of my spiritual routine.
Peace and blessings,
Karen
Some of the best things of this world have quiet surrounding and enfolding them. A knowing look from a loved one, the dawn of a new day, plants growing and producing, the way joy can take hold and so on. Quiet time can be profound and I thank you for reminding me of its necessity because it’s not only “outside” noise that can be too much, it can be the inner noise as well, the inner noise of our thoughts telling us too many things that are not necessary or good.
Beautifully put, Jan. That internal noise can be deafening! Thanks for writing,
Steve
Thanks, Karen.