Do you constantly have a to do list running through your head? Do you wish you get have a moment of peace?
As I’ve shared before, I commute to work and back home each day, so I have to get creative with making the best use I can of the limited time I have.
One night, I was driving into town to meet my husband for our movie date night and I was tempted to listen to a podcast and try to catch up from several days that had been very busy.
I try to make the best use I can of my time and listening to podcasts is a great way to do that – it turns otherwise idle time into productive time. However, on that night, I decided to drive in silence.
Why?
Because sometimes I just need it. I think we all do.
Our days are so busy that we do and do and do; yet, we don’t take enough time to just be still.
How can I expect to get answers from God if my world is always noisy?
How can I expect to figure things out for myself if my to do list is always running through my head?
So as I rode in silence, I thought about all the ways that I could achieve this silence (that I have always felt was a little elusive).
As I drive to work or on my way back home, I can use the silence to just let my mind wander or to take advantage of creativity that otherwise get might get crowded out.
Here are some other ways to find silence in your busy day:
- While driving
- In the shower
- Before everyone wakes up
- After everyone goes to sleep
- During your lunch break
Do you have any other secrets to getting the silence you need?
I love throwing bird feed in the yard, and taking moments during the day to watch them hopping around eating. It is such a wonderful break. I also like walking in the woods. 🙂
Great suggestions Mary! Can’t wait for Spring to be able to get out more.
Great post!! The more I get those ‘silent moments’ the more I realise how BUSY my life is, and my head is! I’m on a FB vacation for this very reason 🙂
I know, right? Facebook can definitely be a huge time suck.
Sometimes I’ll linger in the kids’ rooms after they’ve gone to sleep and just enjoy the silence. I’ve found that’s a great place to pray.
What a great idea! They’re even cuter when they’re asleep, too.
This is such a great reminder to seek silence where we can in our busy days. Thanks for sharing on Something To Talk About link party!
I need all of the reminders I can get!
I like the idea of silence, but the places that I can get silence, I often open myself up to ideas and inevitable, I have nothing to write with and can’t use the phone (i.e. driving). I really need a solution. I love podcasts and books on tape from my library.
Stopping by from Motivation Monday. Have a great week.
In the car is the only quiet time I get. Mostly I have the radio on but sometimes it is just lovely to switch it off and just be in the quiet. I have a couple of friends who are really into the whole mindfulness thing and I have tried it. You are so right, it’s so difficult to set time aside just to be still and quiet.
Actually I’ve just thought of another, when the weather warms up a bit and I take half and hour to do a little gardening. That is a great quiet time that also feels productive but in a calm way. Does that count?
Great post, Raki. I am learning how silence can one closer to the real Self, as well as gently calm the mind. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Yes! I’m finding that the more time I spend doing this, the better I get to know myself.
We all need those moments of silence. Sometimes I wish I had a switch to silence the thinking! Thanks for the reminder. I am visiting from A Glimpse Inside today.
The thoughts never seem to stop. I try to write mine down to give my brain a break.
We all need this!
I have a time allotted during the day when I drink my afternoon tea (with a few pieces of chocolate). The kids must be in their rooms doing a quiet activity so Mom can unwind. It’s my special time and helps me keep my sanity.
What a great idea Marianne!
It always takes me awhile to fall asleep at high but I don’t mind because it’s my time to simply enjoy the silence.
What a relaxing end to the day!