Tuesday, February 12, 2013

VOICES IN SOLITUDE


“These are the voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world.”
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Self-Reliance”


     Each morning I make time for some quiet thinking – a little listening to the voice of my heart – but the voices of the busy world work hard to turn me away from that early morning wisdom. Within minutes of the end of my meditation period, I’m usually making lists and plans and decisions and evaluations, and the thoughts of my heart are soon hushed by the noise of a busy life. Soon after breakfast, I’m barreling along at breakneck speed to bring all my to-do lists under control. I’m caring more about getting a million things done then giving a quiet ear to quiet and creative thoughts. My world goes from a silent place of peace before dawn to a day of at least partial disarray by nine.
     Perhaps this day can be different. Perhaps I can carry with me the silence of the early morning as I mark off the items on my lists. Maybe I can listen to the voices of stillness and goodwill as I get my tasks done. Perhaps I can make my day peaceful as well as productive.  

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