This month, I knew that I would be writing something from a very powerful message that I heard during Lenten season. And while I can’t remember the specific title of Rev. Dr. Atu White’s sermon, the points he made were potent!
There are times when I’ve heard phrases repeatedly and they meant very little. And other times this happens and I am impacted in ways that I didn’t expect. I’ve come to realize that these times are often when I can be still enough to hear and absorb what truly is meant for me.
Rev. White’s points were: Keep your composure, Practice Silence, and Speak with Power. The point that spoke loudest was “Practice Silence” because that’s the one that gives me the greatest challenge. It’s also the one that I believe would most benefit me in every aspect of my life. I need to be truly transparent by letting you know that this has been especially difficult for me because I so enjoy good meaningful conversations. What I clearly know, though, is that everything I think doesn’t need to be stated! And what I was ready to receive that evening, I am intentionally and strategically going to put into practice. Wow, Pat practicing silence!
The positive impacts of practicing silence resonated, in formidable ways. I oftentimes thought that not speaking or practicing silence showed signs of weakness vs strength. But the power of practicing silence, when it matters most, is an example of ultimate strength.
Think about it. Someone does or says something negative or derogatory to you that you know they meant, but you don’t retaliate in the same way. You have stolen their thunder and taken away their alleged power. You find out that a friend was speaking badly about you. When you see them, you don’t even mention it. If they have any consciousness, it should bother them. If it doesn’t, you get to determine what qualities you expect in a real friend.
In the past, I tried practicing silence by designating some quiet times each day. That didn’t help me because it was easy with no one around to challenge myself how I managed to remain silent. Meditation is an integral part of my morning preparation and sets me up for a positive and impactful day. However, it hasn’t been helpful in practicing silence, when it matters most.
Rev. White spoke about “heightened spiritual observation.” Since hearing that, I feel like I’m developing a deeper level of consciousness and becoming more focused about speaking, when it matters most. I’m paying more attention and stopping myself from automatically speaking. It’s also improving my listening skills. Practicing silence helps me to respect my own silence, while at the same time, not interfering with the silence of others around me. I am also practicing shutting down unwanted, useless external and internal noise.
Honestly, I am finding out that practicing silence requires real effort and discipline, and it just might be one of the most challenging things I’ve undertaken. It’s surprising how loud and testing silence can be!
My strategy to move forward is to incorporate practicing silence daily to achieve additional balance and peace, until it becomes a habit. I want to fully experience and feel the benefits of practicing silence when it matters most! ■