“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. “~ Epictetus
Sometimes, there’s so much noise. Noise at home. Noise outside. Noise in the office. It doesn’t stop.
On days filled with noise I can’t hear myself think. Does that ever happen to you?
What do you do when there’s so much noise going on? I need to be still and get quiet.
Not always easy to do and in many cases what helps most is to retreat to a favorite hiding place. I have a few favorite spots which come to mind. The Walkway over the Hudson is a frequent go to. On a clear day walking across the walkway, ear buds, good tunes or a great listen can work wonders for me to get lost in the surroundings. Everything slows down and I breathe a sigh of relief.
When I can’t get to one of my favorite outdoor places, I shut out the noise at home. After a day filled with non-stop busyness and noise galore, lighting a candle, instrumental music, cuddled up in my favorite chair and being still, helps to quiet my mind.
At first, it feels hard to stop after going a mile a minute all day long. It takes a few moments to settle down. Thoughts race around my head like a to do list of everything I want to do, need to do, haven’t done or just didn’t get to. It sometimes seems I should blame or chastise myself for not getting enough done in one day.
It’s taken some practice to sit still and focus my mind on quieting down. I’m pretty good at it these days. What I can share with you is the quieter I get, the calmer I feel as the fog and noise simmers down. When everything feels peaceful, thoughts of clarity begin. Solutions to problems and answers to questions come more easily.
I don’t think noise is a bad thing. In fact, making some noise, shaking things up brings new ideas and stirs the creative side in all of us. I find the “noise” of music to be wonderful! I love listening to favorite songs and raising the volume. It lifts my energy and makes me feel good.
Noise which distracts and breaks your concentration; Noise which can make you feel like there’s a woodpecker in your head is the noise which needs to stop! The grinding chatter playing over and over in your mind is deserving of a time out.
- Take that mini-break
- Find a place to retreat
- Get still
- Slow your breathing
- Stare at the flame of a candle
- Focus on the noise of an air conditioner
- Stare at the water in a pond or the ocean
- Stop a few moments and shut out the noise.
I guarantee you will feel better sooner than later; especially on those days when the noise just won’t stop.
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