I am currently learning the beauty of silence. In this world we live in there is so much noise and chaos. There are beeps from phones and gadgets, TV's droning on and on, people aimlessly talking, and so much more. But why? What is the point in all of this noise if no one stops to listen? Also what is it that we miss daily due to our noise?
Everything around me produces some type of noise. I don't fully understand why this is, but I am willing to take a few stabs at it. I believe that things make noise to simply be heard. Take the clicking of my computer for instance, a slight tapping noise happens when I strike a keep. This sound wave is heard by my brain and I then know that I am actually making a dent in what I have to say(type).
Things make noise to be heard, but also to teach and sooth. Walk past any young child's room and you'll hear loud toys. These toys are obnoxious to everyone, except for the child. They sing ridiculous songs, with simplistic lyrics, but to that child the song is teaching them something new. Also that song, after the child has heard it multiple times, can become a since of familiarity to the child and sooth them in new situations.
Noises have a grand place in daily life but if everyone is to busy creating the noise then who is left to listen? When I speak up for something I believe in, I want to be heard. If I want to be heard, then I need to slow down and listen to other people and give them the respect I with to receive.
Slowing down and listening is something that I greatly struggle with. I want to be heard. I want to have the last word in conversation. I want my voice to last. But I cannot learn if I am not silent and willing to listen.
To be fully silent, and willing to listen, I have to disconnect myself from the world. I put cell phone down. I get off Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I turn off the TV and the radio. It is in this disconnected state, that I have found that I do some of my best thinking. In this silence I am able to question and sort out who I really am. I am able to learn why I believe the things that I believe. I am also able to listen. I love listening to people when they are genuine in what they are wanting to say. I am learning that I am horrible at responding to them, but that I love hearing peoples hearts.
Whenever my life is full of outside noise, I loose this ability to listen. I hear every other word, or just what is important. And since seeking out my on personal time of just silence I have learned how selfish I am when there are so many distractions around me like a TV, or music.
I would encourage anyone reading this to try to set apart time for just silence. You may just learn things about yourself you never knew, or actually hear someone else and what they are truly saying. =]
James 1:19 (NIV)
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
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