I cannot count the amount of times that mindful silence or restraint has helped my relationships for the better. To never make judgments or assumptions is impossible and not necessarily beneficial. Nonetheless: seeing the assumptions for what they are, putting them on pause, and instead leaning into curiosity has led to tenfold more enlightening conversations and even more resilient connections. It surprises me time and time again how much thoughtful silence can both hold doors, and keep them open.
Someone once said to me “Is it helpful, is it true and does it need to be said by me?” Such a helpful mantra when considering a response in some conversations…it helps me to pause, think and understand better, before I speak!
To truly accept myself, I must sit in silence and listen to the thoughts that arise. It is like my childhood, when I used to sit at the bus stop, watching the buses arrive and waiting for the different kinds of people from my village to step out. The same is true of my thoughts. I close my eyes, I take a breath, and I wait for them to arrive. I observe them without judgment, because I am the only one who chooses how to respond to them. I am the one who chooses whether to allow myself to act or to remain silent ⚪
Silence isn’t the absence of something. It’s actually a powerful presence, an enabler of strength and tranquility.
We live in a world where we’re constantly barraged with in input. News, notifications, opinions, political contention, social unrest and endless information compete for our attention from the moment we wake up and pick up our smartphones. Our minds are rarely given a chance to rest, reflect, or truly listen. That’s why silence has become more important than ever. When we intentionally step out of the noise, we step back into ourselves.
Beginning the day in silence, with meditation before the world rushes in, creates space for calm and clarity. In the absence of constant input, our nervous system settles, our awareness sharpens, and we reconnect with what’s deeper and more enduring. This is where we more fully meet our higher self. This is where guidance, insight, and quiet strength arise. Not through effort or striving, but through stillness. Silence doesn’t weaken us. It restores us. It grounds us. It gives us access to a steady inner strength that remains available throughout the day no matter how loud the world becomes.
May we be intentional to start the day with meditation and then to step out of the noise frequently throughout day to return to silence as a source of clarity, connection, and abiding strength. 🙏🏼❤️☕️
So true! When you are silent means you are not reacting immediately; you are pausing before you speak. This pause is the inner control that gives us strength. It also means that you're listening more than speaking.
That itself gives you a better chance to understand others and avoid misunderstanding.
