Wednesday, October 26, 2011

I’ve written many blogs that center around people looking within for inner strength that they can translate to other aspects of their lives. 

We live in a hectic society that doesn’t allow for much total peace and quiet.  Or does it?  Have we become so accustomed to background noise and doing things all the time that our ability to find a quiet place within has been diminished?  Do we turn away from utter silence surrounding us, instead reaching for the tuner on the radio to provide background noise that will drown out that silence?

For many, it’s disarming to be engulfed in total silence.  As if something is amiss, they begin fidgeting and seeking something to do in their unease.  Instead of embracing silence for the wonderful gift it can be, there are those who are repulsed by the very thought of being alone in their silence.

Now, I’m not implying that being alone twenty-four hours a day in complete isolation that’s void of background noise or interactions with others is the ideal.  It’s certainly not!  But, neither is it healthy for an individual to be discombobulated by brief respites of silence.

I have a couple of suggestions, drills if you will, that might help one better center themselves around embracing silence and the amazing ability it has to calm one to their core. 

When next you find yourself in a situation where someone has upset you, resist the urge to make a cutting remark in return.  Instead, treat yourself to the dignity of remaining silent, smiling all the while at them.  Then walk away.  If you’re the kind who needs to have the TV or radio going in the background, spend an hour or two resisting the urge to drown out the silence with that kind of noise.  Instead, allow the thoughts tumbling their way around your head to play out their symphony.  Become familiar with them, rather than casting them aside. 

It’s amazing how external forces influence our state of mind.  How doing something as simple as the drills I’ve suggested will allow one the chance to turn inward and find peace…real peace.  By embracing external silence, a person allows themselves the latitude to better focus on their internal thoughts.  Given time and practice, individuals will then be able to quiet those internal voices as needed.