(iPhone Photo)
“Quietness is the classroom where you learn to hear (My) God’s voice”
~Jesus Calling
I’ve had precious few days of quietness this year.
My mind has been full of plans and changes and moving and remodeling.
At some point I realized that if I shrouded myself in quiet for more than a few minutes, worries fast and angry, shot through my thoughts bringing with them anxiety that would take me hours to outrun.
So I kept books playing on the computer or the iPod as I did my projects.
Sometimes, HGTV in the background…white noise.
But I’m not a white-noise kind of person. I crave quiet, my soul thirsts for silence.
Now it’s autumn.The Husband and I have talked for months about slowing down during the holidays, which for our family, start with our Fall Party…which was last Saturday.
It’s time.
I have a few ideas that I pray will help…
More ‘quiet’ in my morning quiet time…
A play list of my favorite calming music…I have a David Nevue station on my Pandora Radio that I love-(David Nevue is the artist Ann Voskamp had playing on her blog)
Walks outside with Ollie-the-pup…the simplicity of taking a morning walk clears my mind like nothing else…
Pausing in the middle of the day to quiet my heart and whisper a prayer…(I’m going to set an alarm on my phone)
Date nights with The Husband that don’t include The Home Depot…(at least until January 🙂 )
I’m asking the Creator of all things to give me some other ideas, have you got an idea for me as I ease into the last months of 2012 and become reacquainted with my old friend Quiet?
I love to paint or work in the flower beds. Both of these things bring me great peace.
DC…working out in the yard has been therapeutic for me in the past…thank you for reminding me of that. xo
Bravo on setting your phone alarm! Good reminder for me… I used to set my alarm 3 x per day, to remember to breathe. Just sit for a moment, take a few deep breaths, and, ahhhhhh. 🙂
Shelly~ Just breathe…some days that’s enough xo
I find that just sitting down and picking up my knitting or crocheting is where I find my peacefulness. Knitting and crocheting for me, brings a time of reflection and prayer.
Eileen, I used to knit and crochet! I never learned to do anything except making scarves but YES it was so calming! Maybe I’ll buy a scrumptious skein of yarn and lose myself. xo
I could not survive without quiet!! Or at least I don’t think I could. I am like you…I crave it. So much so, sometimes I never turn on any music, tv or anything until my husband comes home from work. Walking my dogs outside is one of my favorite things too. 🙂 Hope you find the quiet you are craving. 🙂
Gina~thanks for sharing that you crave quiet too…xoxo
I am heading into a rather “unquiet” season and I am uncertain myself how I will accomplish solitude. I love your ideas so far- the nuns at the convent I visited had a bell they used to signal their time of prayer. I look forward to hearing the ways you find to spend time with quiet. Love to you sweet one!
Vicky, I’m wondering what your unquiet season is…? love u
Sometimes I crave quiet and when I do I lose myself in a book. Reading makes me calm. I love the idea of setting an alarm. XOXO
Pinky, I have 3 new books ready to start! I plan on curling up by the fire and getting lost in the stories…xoxo
I love the alarm clock idea. I get so caught up in the things of the world that the things of the heart get forgotten. I’m so busy that I thirst for quiet. Today especially I need to hear God’s voice. Thank you for this post.
I’m using the “quiet” scripture in my Surrender retreat. It curled up in my heart. Your picture is so inviting.
XOXOX
Julie…praying for your Surrender retreat. xo
Hi Robin,
You are describing my days to a T. I LOVE silence, and never have any noise at my house, unless I listen to David Nevue on Pandora! It seems the more crazy things get the more I need the silence too. And we are entering the crazy season, and I wish it not to be so. To achieve the calm I need, I will begin my preparations now so I can enjoy and FOCUS in December.
Have a wonderful day.