I was walking up Madison Avenue last week when I came upon this quote outside a church.
Speak only if it improves upon the silence. -Gandhi
As I stood digesting the words, I realized for a brief moment I was standing in silence. I took the photo and came home.
When I opened the photo on my phone, I had to laugh. There was anything but silence in that moment! The bus was moving quickly past me, office windows were lit up, and people were bustling down the avenue. So why did it feel silent to me?
I’ve been craving the silence – most importantly – the silence within myself. At times, the dueling voices can (still) be exhausting. Creating a “truce” within is a way for me to find the silence. It takes a lot of strength to be quiet, but in that moment, I found peace in Gandhi’s quote.
Your ability to sit peacefully within yourself, even in the midst of all the internal dialog, external chaos and noise, is the greatest skill you can continue to master. To do so, practice being peaceful when you are safe and quiet in your own home. In a seated position, feel your feet flat on the floor and steady your breath. Inhale through your nose and feel your abdominal wall rise. As you exhale through your mouth, gently soften your abdomen and bring your navel toward your spine. Repeat the entire process five times.
The moments may feel raw and vulnerable, yet from the silence springs strength.
There’s strength in being silent.
There’s power in accepting silence.
There’s peace in trusting the silence.
The world continues to unfold in ways that we have never witnessed in our lifetime. Your voice will be needed, but for the moment, trust the silence.
I promise you, it will be palpable and powerful.
