It used to scare me a little. The complete peace – disturbed only by the subtle hum of appliances – was too exposing, too raw.
Even now, I move quickly to flick on a podcast, to browse through Spotify playlists to set a mood. A mood other than the utter expanse of nothingness.
What is it that scares me? My thoughts, swirling and careening in lightning pulses? The lack of stimulation? The thought that I could be wasting the time if I’m not relentlessly multi-tasking?
Silence reveals me. It shows my true colours and the heartbeat that undergirds my choices, emotions. My first dabble is the process of eating. Slowly, savouring each salty and tangy mouthful. I stare curiously at the fork, allowing my mind to wander to the origins of this crunchy pickle, that creamy slice of Edam cheese.
In the midst of the experience, my mood shifts. Gratitude emerges. I see myself as a small piece in the magnificent expanse of the exploding and vivid universe. My worries and stresses become less pulsing – more muted – as I sit, breathe, eat…and notice.
I’m trying something new this month – #Write31Days with a talented community of other writers. We free write for five minutes (or more) each day guided by a prompt. Today’s prompt is ‘silence’.
For more information on 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes, check out Christina Hubbard’s site!
