Close
Close

Receive “Word for the Day” each day in your inbox

See our Privacy Policy

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Menu Gratefulness Donate
Daily Question, August 6

How can I make time and space for the gift of silence today?

  • KC

    Today is my first day back in the city after two weeks living closer to the wind, waves, ocean, animals, trees … I appreciate the reminder and invitation to spend time in and honour silence, while being aware of the clutter and clatter which too often seek to fill the space. Thank you! ??

  • Antoinette

    I am so grateful for having the morning to keep as space for devotion/mindfulness of the present moment. Devoting each morning and coming back to the intentions set throughout the day make me stay deeply anchored in gratitude.

  • Malag

    I crave it and always make space for it whether it’s meditation, walking, being on my own. In a busy household I have an intention towards it.

    • Antoinette

      Love how you used the word crave for the space of silence. Our cravings are very often about outer things to fill our empty space. It’s beautiful to see that you notice busyness as an actual distraction.
      Many people are overly busy and use it. “I’m so busy!” It’s almost like some sort of a badge of status! When I’m fact it’s something else entirely.

  • Sajana

    I made time in front of a lake. And in front of the sunset, shimmering gold across the water. I took time to give thanks when I woke up and saw 3 eagles above me in the clear blue skies with white fluffly clouds.

  • devy

    I made my time by my early morning meditation followed by a quiet walk along our river..no crowds, no cars, sun shining, cooler temperature and just observing the trees, the birds, animals and all that natured had to offer in solitude and peace

  • Hot Sauce

    Today, I can make time and space for the gift of silence by spending just an hour reading alone at some point. Sometimes, it is the simplicity of reading in silence that can give rise to deeper insights in me.

  • Don Jones
    By embracing the paradox... When I’m at my best, when the most persistent and authentic of my feelings are given full play, I make a double discovery: on the one hand I find myself shedding all responsibilities, all attachments and identifications whatever, dropping the lot, claiming nothing and being nothing, and so at last breaking free; and on the other hand – supremely inconsistent – I find myself taking everyone and everything on board, laying claim to the lot, not resting content unt...

    By embracing the paradox… When I’m at my best, when the most persistent and authentic of my feelings are given full play, I make a double discovery: on the one hand I find myself shedding all responsibilities, all attachments and identifications whatever, dropping the lot, claiming nothing and being nothing, and so at last breaking free; and on the other hand – supremely inconsistent – I find myself taking everyone and everything on board, laying claim to the lot, not resting content until the universe’s meanest creature is gathered under my loving wing. This is the ultimate truth, the paradoxical and double-sided truth about the way I really feel.

    Read More
  • Mica

    Ah – I see Maeve has the same experience, below! I can find silence – peace of mind? – even in the presence of the construction noises around me, which are, fortunately, not terribly intrusive.

  • Maeve

    Wondered about that when I woke up to the sound of trucks, and the loud generator! Here, in the backwoods of Vermont…

    Sense of peace, when I sat out on the porch in the deckchair, with my blanket on my legs–and looked at the latest photos of my two sweet great-nephews.

    Just stretched for an hour. Working on internal silence.

    And now, will work on the “garden in the woods.” with the trees and the hummingbirds..

    • Mica

      Hi, Maeve – my bro and his wife live in the backwoods of Dummerston VT.
      An Hour of stretching – wow! I’m impressed.
      Warm wishes to you –

  • Linda

    There is a beautiful woods near our home. I go up there often, especially on hot days, and walk along the cool paths, loving the sounds of birds and chattering chipmunks.
    An acquaintance of mine has a degree in horticultural therapy (yes, it is a thing!) , and he told me about the Japanese practice of “taking a forest shower” when people feel depressed or hopeless, and the falling leaves, pollen and other forest “rainfall” bring peace to troubled souls. It works…

  • amacord

    Years ago I read some inspirational material that suggested that we give our first thought to God or your concept of spirit upon awaking. Before you leave your bed… I have found this a helpful tool as I have struggled to quiet the fearful voice in my head. It sets the stage for a calm entry into the new day and reminds me that I am not alone.

  • Roz

    Use the time to communicate with God, meditate and ponder upon His word.

  • Mick

    I start each day in prayer. This time of silence is so healing for me. I will start going outside mid day for a silent reflection as well.

  • Michele

    I can make time and space for the gift of silence by listening and being quiet. I have my backdoor open for the cats to go out onto the lanai and I can hear the birds – bluebirds, cardinals, doves. mockingbirds and of course the peacocks. I try not to put the tv on that much. I have trouble with the term’ gift of silence’ because of narcissistic abuse of the ‘silent treatment’. Evil terrible psychological/emotion abuse.

  • Carla

    I start by opening the kitchen door as I begin my day & not turning the radio on. The chattering orchestral bird songs replace my public radio & BBC updates. And more conversations & times of silence with the Other weave into those moments.

  • Zenith

    That is an every day practice for me. I get up when it is still dark, do my Wim Hof breathing, and if it is not windy, head outside to watch sunrise. While I am not the only one out, there are few enough of us that it is meditational for me. Then when back home I do silent meditation to begin the day. I also meditate again in the afternoon for destressing from the human would. It is more a time of stillness than silence in the afternoon. So silence and I are well acquainted.

  • sunnypatti

    I did already when I meditated earlier. And I will again throughout my day, as I always make an effort to pause and be still and quiet between the activities of my busy life. It helps me stay grounded, a practice which I am incredibly grateful for!

  • Javier Visionquest

    It’s now or never (and here comes the cat. . . . )

  • Katrina
    I live in a somewhat rural setting. I love the sound of birds and crickets, etc. I watch very little tv anymore. I’m not on electronics anymore than necessary. I read books, have worked in the garden and cleaned my house over and over again. I have meditated, pondered, planned, and wondered. The last 5 months have immersed me in more silence than I’ve ever experienced, and I am grateful. But what I wouldn’t give for the sound of my grandchildren playing in my back yard, arguing in the back...

    I live in a somewhat rural setting. I love the sound of birds and crickets, etc. I watch very little tv anymore. I’m not on electronics anymore than necessary. I read books, have worked in the garden and cleaned my house over and over again. I have meditated, pondered, planned, and wondered. The last 5 months have immersed me in more silence than I’ve ever experienced, and I am grateful. But what I wouldn’t give for the sound of my grandchildren playing in my back yard, arguing in the back bedroom, laughing at the videos they are watching; what I wouldn’t give for the gathering of friends in a noisy restaurant where we laugh and share bottles of wine and catch up on each other’s lives; what I wouldn’t give to be visiting someone in a hospital where the beeps, overhead announcements and strange hallway conversations interrupt our visit. Normally I relish silence. But now, I’m ready to make and experience some good, healthy, mercy-giving, justice-seeking, praise-raising noise.

    Read More
  • Pilgrim

    I live in a great deal of silence, and really don’t need any more. It is not always a gift.

    • Kevin

      You know Pilgrim, as a Quaker silence serves as our stock and trade. But having been involved in providing pastoral care too many Quakers and non Quakers over the years, especially those who are older and living alone, many have repeated what you said about silence. Many have explained to me how silence, for them, is not a welcomed friend or a gift as they experience it, I certainly can understand why. Always appreciate your honesty, my friend.

    • Mica

      Yes, I know the feeling. Sometimes I think I ‘should’ develop a habit of listening to music when the silence is heavy. I listen to metta chants on youtube when I’m working on something difficult at the computer. They are quite awesome. Thank you Pilgrim (✿◠‿◠)

    • Zenith

      What is your lifestyle that you are so cute off from outside noise so much if I may ask? I too need balance between silence and contact with the outside world.

This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A.

DONATE https://gratefulness.org/content/uploads/2015/03/GX-Gold-Participant-L.png

© 2000 - 2021, A Network for Grateful Living

Website by Briteweb

We are delighted to announce the release of Kristi Nelson’s book Wake Up Grateful

0

Your Cart