A few months ago, my wife and I took our kids on a short weekend trip to the mountains. As we pulled out of our neighborhood and merged onto the four lane highway, we suddenly realized an important detail for the trip had been left undone.
Kim and I both assumed the other person was going to make the necessary arrangements. As a result, neither of us had accomplished the task. And now, the trip had already begun.
The problem would ultimately be fixed with a little extra time and money. But in the moment, our conversation abruptly ended. Tenseness ensued. And both of us stared silently out the windshield in disgust.
After a few short minutes, one little voice called out from the backseat, “Umm, are you guys ever going to talk again?” The silence had become unbearable.
I was reminded again how silence has become a difficult atmosphere in our society.
In our homes, we turn on our televisions. In our cars, we turn on the radio. When we exercise, we put on our headphones. Even when waiting in elevators or on hold with customer service, sound fills the void.
It seems we have become uncomfortable with the very presence of silence in our lives. We speak of “awkward silences” in a room full of people. We fear that brief moment when we meet someone new and aren’t quite sure what to say. And I remember being on countless dates growing up where any lapse in the conversation meant the entire relationship was doomed forever.
My family even pokes fun at me when I mute the television during commercials—as if the idea of sitting in quiet for 2 minutes is too long.
But in a world filled with noise, silence becomes even more important.
It is no secret we are bombarded everyday with countless messages.
Advertisements from every flat surface and frequency tell us what to watch, where to go, and what to purchase. Countless artists fill canvases, screens, and printed paper hoping to convince us of their worldview and beliefs. Political pundits from every aisle and experts from every imaginable field speak boldly about how we should proceed on the most important issues of our time.
Meanwhile, silence quietly calls for our attention. Because only in extended periods of solitude, can we rediscover our hearts and the voice of timeless wisdom in our lives.
The benefits of silence and solitude in a noisy world are significant and life-giving. In quiet moments of reflection:
- We remove the expectation and influence of others.
- We hear our heart speak clearly.
- We reflect on our past and chart our future.
- We find rest and refreshment.
- We break the cycle of busyness in our lives.
- We become better equipped to show patience and love to others.
While anyone can experience silence at any time by finding a quiet place to sit for an extended period of time, I have found solitude does not occur naturally in our noise-centered world. It must be intentionally pursued by each of us.
But for it to be pursued, it must first be valued and desired.
Be reminded of the importance of silence and solitude. Make its presence a habit in your life—both in small ways and in big ways. You’ve got nothing to lose. And your whole life to gain back.
Sarah Vogel says
Still struggling to make peace a daily life habit. My friend at work who has more than twenty years of experience in administration joked about his life work in the company he works as consisting of “managing the force of evils” daily to keep the calm and quietness in the office environment. With the virtual new wave, for me, personally, it is like you can’t escape the conversation just mute yourself, step out to the kitchen eat in some quiet place. So much for being free spirited. But I think that just see what need to be done and help out is just good enough for my day to go well.
Lily Perla says
I just put my retirement paperwork under the administrators door! I’ve worked nightshift for years! I have become debt free, and downsizing to a studio apartment! I walk, and read in quiet places.
Leslie says
Cool! That’s a great place to be. I am making the best of my days away from home for a rescue mission. Enjoy every bit of it myself.
Obviously ?
Kylie Pringle says
I love having a break from the noise of the world when I am home, but it can be difficult when you share a home with your family.
My favourite quiet time is on the weekends when I can physically slow down and take my time especially in the morning and quiet makes it extra special! Thank you for your words to remind us to step away from the noise of the world,
Frankie Parker says
“Silence is golden.” someone said…
Lee says
I work in total quiet. I always have. We are bombarded with sound. I love this message today.
Jayne Hellier says
We do seem to be a little fearful of silence in conversation, or lack of sound when we are alone. Even in our prayer time, we can forget to sit in quiet to hear God’s voice. It seems we can all use more “clutter free” silence!
Bea Galloway says
Silence and solitude are such redemptive concepts, too. Our world is yelling all of the time and people run away from their thoughts… everything is a distraction from what’s real and when you’re faced with what’s real, you’re faced with reality and there’s a choice in front of you. I’m a Christian, and I see everything from a redemptive lens. I just love how silent and peaceful the cross is. It’s always there, even when our world is moving so fast. In the words of Twenty One Pilots… “I find over the course of our human existence, one thing consists of consistence: and it’s that we’re all battling fear, oh dear, I don’t know if we know why we’re here. Am I too deep? Please stop thinking… I liked it better when my car had sound…”
Thanks for a great post, Josh. God bless.
Kevin McGrane says
I remember reading an essay about “wabi-sabi” and the author encouraged people to”cultivate silence”. So, when I’m home for the day, I do not turn on any tv or radio/music player. It’s so sanity-affirming.
maureen says
my favourite song in the whole world, Sounds of Silence
People talking without speaking People hearing without listening People writing songs that voices never share And no one dared Disturb the sound of silence : Simon And Garfunkel –
Amy Shores says
I really appreciate this article. I am a single mom. Having kids makes the noise level in my house get absolutely crazy daily.. I get frazzled from the constant commotion… never a dull or silent moment… there is almost always conflicting noises…movie, music, singing, laughing, crying, fighting, interrupting, dog barking, stomping….!! its easy to get over-stimulated in daily life by all of the noise. I absolutely need my quiet time after my girls go to bed. The silence is absolutely essential for me to regain momentum for the next day. The silence is beautiful, as is the craziness of raising children… but to appreciate each, you must have a balance of each. :)