The Quiet Side
Exploring the unseen benefits of creative focus.
Quiet : free from noise or uproar
Last summer we were deep in the mountains, camped away from any campground and in the woods with only the creatures around us – and there was still an echo of highway noise, the ambient flow of jet engines overhead and the occasional motor vehicle on the trails in the miles of dirt roads.
It is very hard to find quiet.
Every once in a while I need the sound of silence – the music off, t.v. dark. And yet there are still fans, dishwashers, clocks ticking. During these times, I am really looking for the noise in my head to go quiet. The constantly growing list, wondering what is next, doubt about something left undone, nagging thoughts that won’t stop.
Sometimes quiet can be uncomfortable because we are afraid of what might come to mind if we turn off the noise of daily living. Constant stimulation and distraction allow us to not go too deep. Uncomfortable silence is a real thing – even with ourselves. We get so used to focusing on external influences, it can be much easier to not stop and look internally, yet it is important for our well being.
The other day I was waiting to pick someone up, waiting in the parked car which was insulated against road noise, but in the suburban parking lot, watching the traffic go by I could barely hear a thing. I resisted the urge to turn on the news, check my phone or edit my list of to-dos. I just listened, fascinated that in the middle of all this activity there was nearly no noise.
Giving my mind a chance to just be in those few minutes, was refreshing. Even with the busyness of people coming and going, really listening to… nothing… gave me a sense of calm. Just as giving a body a rest by being still, is important find a way to give your other senses a break. Its all part of the bigger picture to learn to be calm, slow down and focus.
Try This
What do you do you in your week that invites you to give the noise a rest?
How can you silence your space, turn off distractions and actively appreciate some quiet in your day?
deliberate – still – appreciate – quiet – focus – trust – deconstruct – beautiful – reflect – relax – discover – create – comfort – shade – breathe – inspire – be bold – embellish – savor – slow – calm – admire
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