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| PHOTO CAPTION: "Photo Courtesy Flickr." Photo by Floridapfe. |
Spend Time in Silence
It is healthy to take some time daily to slow down. During this time turn off the radio, television, electronic devices and/or computer. Be with the silence and become comfortable with it. Practice deep breathing, meditation, prayer, journaling, writing a gratitude list, drawing, or reflection. These are just some things you can do.
It is amazing how many people are uncomfortable with silence and immediately want to fill it with noise or activity. Silence can bring to the surface things we may be avoiding thinking about. It also may remind us of how hard it may be to be with ourselves and life. There is a tendency to always be connected to some form of distraction. This habit of distraction and doing things keeps us from being okay with what may be unfolding right in the moment. When we stop and are present with life and the present moment, we allow ourselves to see the beauty of life and also to deal with what may be lurking around for our attention. When we bring awareness to things just below the surface of our consciousness and work through the issues we feel better - healing can happen.
Slowing Down Gives Us Freedom
Slowing down is also something we can practice when we get angry. It is when we don't slow down that we usually get into trouble. We may say something that we regret or do something that is not in alignment with our values.
Rollo May says, "Freedom is the capacity to pause between stimulus and response."
If we can slow down when we are triggered by someone or something and think about how to respond we can live in freedom and in alignment with our values. Marshall Rosenberg said in a workshop, "Take your time so you can choose a compassionate energy instead of the programmed response we have been taught."
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