What is it about silence that makes us so... edgy.
Man has feared the silence of heavens (god, the gods, the spirits, etc.) since the dawn of time. We are uncomfortable with the dead space in conversations. We don't like quiet moments in our days, quickly filling them with the distractions our phones conveniently provide.
The truth is, scary things lurk in the silence; hiding patiently in the quiet corners of our mind, waiting for us to acknowledge their existence. So we fill our world with noise and distractions, keeping us from the bare, unadulterated honesty of utter silence.
Drew has been into meditation lately, a quieting of the mind. It has helped him focus his energies for the day, find harmony in the chaos so that he can find flow in life and work... it sounds cheesy... but you guys, it works!
The other morning I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. My mind was racing with thoughts of all the things I needed to accomplish from the moment the alarm went off. My to-do list ran before my eyes, my heart racing to keep up with all of the things I felt I needed to get done. Drew encouraged me to go sit in silence, focus on what was really important, acknowledging the stresses and letting them go. So I did.
It was uncomfortable at first, I felt as though I was wasting my time, that I wasn't doing it right. I took a deep breath, then another... and then the tightness in my chest began to relax, my breath grew more calm... the silence which seemed so daunting began to feel (almost) comfortable. I stood up, calm, balanced, ready to face the day ahead. All my to-dos still ran before me, but I felt more capable of taking them in stride.
How do you deal with the chaos? Have you tried meditation?
A friend suggested sitting in the shower, relaxing under the warmth of the water and thinking of all the people (and things) you are thankful for, a great way to change a negative mind to positive thinking. Another recommends consciously taking 5 deep breaths, being aware of each inhale and long exhale to calm a racing mind.
There is peace surrounding you, it's energy is never far off... though diving into its pristine waters is another story entirely.
xx
