Creative silence will lead to tranquility
I had a unique and rare experience recently. Steve had a “guy’s weekend”, so I was all alone in a quiet house. Well, at least I was the only human – no offense to Rudy, the island dog! I wasn’t used to the silence and at first it seemed a little strange.
Then it hit me . . . this silence is a valuable gift!
Summer is a great time for quiet reflection and contemplation. Long lazy days of heat and humidity are very conducive to just laying around and basking in the warm glow. It’s the time of year when it’s okay to loaf and idle away time. Plus it’s fun to invent creative ways to keep cool.
If you’re like me, though, it’s kind of hard to sit still in complete silence.
Our natural tendency is to surround ourselves with noise just to keep us company. Plus we’re not very motivated to put down our “toys,” like our iPods and laptops.
But still . . . turning our phones, TVs and computers OFF for a while can be the best thing we can do to silence our minds. Besides making us more tranquil, peace and quiet really helps to inspire our natural creativity and imagination.
So to make it easier for us, I’ve come up with a way to practice creative silence throughout the day. What I’ve learned is that we don’t have to be totally motionless to reap the rewards. We just need to be quiet.
Here’s how it works.
Empty your mind and completely focus on a single, simple task – and NOTHING ELSE. No talking or multitasking of any kind is allowed.
Be fully engaged in the moment and v-e-r-y slowly, lose yourself in:
- Chopping onions
- Pulling weeds
- Soaking in the tub
- Making the bed
- Scrubbing the floor
- Taking a “mental” vacation
- Watering the plants
- Doing sit-ups
- Cleaning the car
- Strolling on the beach
- Sewing on a button
- Washing dishes by hand
- Enjoying a snack
- Folding laundry
- Observing nature
- Painting your nails
- Kneading dough
- Peeling potatoes
- Dusting the furniture
- Swimming laps
- Baking muffins
- Sipping on your favorite beverage
- Watching the sun go down
- Petting your dog (Rudy’s suggestion)
You get the idea. You can invent endless ways to practice creative silence. Imagine the possibilities! Think about any of your regular daily rituals. Even boring household chores can actually become a lot more gratifying – and even rejuvenating.
Silence is a necessary part of a well-lived life. A little quiet in our lives not only calms us down, but also improves our overall health. Challenge yourself to figure out new and creative ways to squeeze more silence into your days.
Shut out the noise and slow down your mind. By practicing creative silence, you’ll soon be blissfully floating in your own beautiful sea of tropical tranquility.
Tell me your unique ways to practice creative silence.
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It’s Here! The complete guide . . . An Island Perspective – Finding the Path to Tropical Tranquility
About Renee
This is a beautiful teaching Renee! It makes me aware of a song that I love, and it’s “Holy As The Day Is Spent” by Carrie Newcomer (The Gathering Of Spirits). Perhaps it’s the musical version of your very wise sharing. I love how you weave personal experience into teachable moments! My love and a scratch behind the ears to Rudy… and to Steve too!
PS I practice “creative silence” by vacuuming! Really ~ I love to vacuum. It’s one of my favorite mediations next to walking by the water.
Beautiful…
Serene…
Enticing…
My ways ~ yoga, being still, stopping my mind IMMEDIATELY and FOCUSING on what I am doing in the MOMENT, reading, breathing…and so many more
Thanks Renee
Posted this on my facebook page
I’m solitary by nature, and would probably go crazy without silence and space — and a lot of it. My favorite ways to be still are staring at clouds with the cat, centering clay on the pottery wheel, and sketching and walking in the woods.
Thomas, I’m going to have to search for that song. I want to hear it! BTW, if you need more time to practice your “creative silence,” you have an open invitation to come to my house and vacuum all you want. Since you love it and all, I’m willing to lend my support.
Thank you for your beautiful comment!
Georgiana, love your suggestions for creative silence. Yoga is one of my favorites. And thanks for posting this on your FB page too! You’re an angel!
Jennifer, I tend to be solitary by nature too so your suggestions really resonated with me – only I would be staring at the clouds with my dog, Rudy!
Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you, Renee! This is wonderful!! I so love silence, and my husband so loves “noise!” I feel bombarded by it, and he feels comforted by it. Isn’t it interesting that we found each other?! We both compromise, which has led to a very long, happy marriage, but it’s nice to have a reminder on how I can find creative silences by doing things mindfully.
Another gem, Renee!
I love your suggestions for “silent creativity”. I try to think of those activities as a chance for a meditative moment. Especially, washing dishes…. for some reason, the feel of the water and bubbles creates a special, contemplative moment for me. And, anything outside or in the garden, fills me with peace & calm.
Of course, my evolved Atticus finds his creativity is sparked in any situation—-but he’s special!
I am with Jennifer, I would go insane without my quiet times of reflection and silence. To me it’s a necessary part of my day to day life. Ways I remain silent: Retreat into a daydream. Imagine myself already living that dream. All the little details. Imagining my life 5, 10, 20 years from now. Another way I use daily is listening to my sound machine. The ocean sounds soothe my soul and relax my spirit.
So happy to hear you like to enjoy some silent moments too Linda! I guess you and your husband found a nice balance. Compromise is definitely the key to a long, happy marriage. Whatever you’re doing, it’s working!
Heidi, I’m the same way about washing dishes. Must have something to do with the warm water – very calming. Atti and Rudy are definitely our best teachers when it comes to creativity – and having fun!
Bonnie, I love the idea of listening to the ocean sounds too. That definitely puts us in a tranquil state of mind. Using your imagination to envision how you want to live your ideal life is a beautiful thing to contemplate. And probably makes it all come to pass too!
Painting works for me, whether it is a solid color on a wall or something with a detail (faux pattern or mural.) My mind is free to wander and enjoy, while my hands are preoccupied. The other one is to post a uncomplicated, sometimes silly story just…because. Most recently “How to Eat a Kiwi Fruit.”
Genny, you sound like a very creative spirit! Isn’t amazing how peaceful it can feel to lose yourself in the process of creating something from nothing? Loved your post on how to eat a kiwi! (http://roatanvortex.com/2010/08/17/how-to-eat-a-kiwi-fruit/) Kiwis are one of my favorite fruits and now I have a new way to eat them!