Silence: a tool for abundant living

Silence is the foundation of truth. Words are most meaningful when they emerge from silence and when they are received by a quiet mind.
~ Kenneth Cohen
 
 
My wife and I made a decision not to look at any news program on television for a week. The results of this experience have been amazing. Thoughts of positive possibilities have not being influenced or discouraged by a barrage of fear based negative news reports. I realize I cannot live in a bubble and it is reality that there are many horrendous happenings in the world today. But there comes a time when I need to separate myself from that in order to create a plan to make a positive difference in my world of family and friends.
 
We may not be able to change the world but we can change our world. For me the change has to come from within me first. Retirement offers me more control of my time. But I remember the days when the pressure of my job was unrelenting. Finances and family demands didn't allow much time for silence or meditation. This is when it is critically important to make a plan and schedule that time every day.
 
In our early years of marriage we opened our home to a family member going through a challenging time in her life. At a young age of 17 my wife's niece got pregnant and moved in with us during her pregnancy. Her troubling situation and her interactions with our three children created some very difficult situations. I can recall capturing a few minutes of silence by going in the closet to get a few moments of silence to regroup.
 
In today's world with information coming to us as soon as we awaken on our telephones, computers and early morning news shows, it can be very difficult to find time for reflective silence. At times there may be extenuating circumstances but truth of the matter is it is often just the day-in and day-out crazy pace of our lives. To make a positive change it will require pre-planning because the outside distractions will quickly discourage you from implementing a new practice.
 
When I wake up I immediately turn on the coffee maker to brew my first cup of coffee. Right next to my chair I have several inspirational daily meditation books from which I choose short reflective messages to read. This one practice has opened the doors for me to allow a flow of creative ideas to come into my mind.
 
We can make a positive influence in changing the impact of negative news. It all begins with the decision to start the day with a few silent moments, allowing our minds to open to peaceful and positive input.
 
It has taken me a long time to appreciate what a nun in grammar school would repeat every day, "Silence is Golden."