A Penny for your thoughts?
The old saying “Silence is Golden” can be very true. It can arouse your inner thoughts, spark creativity and more…and if silence is golden, your thoughts are worth more than pennies!💰
Have you ever wondered why you come up with your best ideas while you are in the shower? Or perhaps you remembered something important from work while you were sitting on that “throne” in your bathroom? Truth is, for me, it happens all the time and I’m sure I am not alone. Having periods of silence and solitude are important for our mental health. Read more about why we should not be denying ourselves this important part of life:
Our world is filled with distractions, noise, tv, music, social media and more. In this tech-overflowing, instant world we live in today, there is something to entertain us almost always at our fingertips…and even by just our voice! (You know what I’m talking about, those famous names that starts with an “A” and an “S” and answer your every question, find you a funny movie to watch, or give you directions.) As soon as we get in our vehicles and head down the road, we are listening to the radio, or perhaps you pop in a CD of your favorite music group or audio book.
When does our brain have time to process our thoughts and the events that happen during the day, or to think of someone else that might need your thoughts and prayers, or a solution to a problem you or a loved one might have? Bingo! Ding, ding, ding!…you got it, during a quiet time…(such as in the bathroom.)
Most of us need more than just “that time” to properly process, wind down and relax, organize the day and be still with our thoughts. It is not only mentally healthy for us but can also physically help you. By setting aside quiet time during the day, your thoughts are not racing to catch up and process everything right before bed, therefore giving you a better night’s sleep that will most likely come quicker. Also, your stress level will lower if you set aside more time during the day to organize your thoughts and prepare for the next portion of your day.
It sounds like common sense, right? Most everyone would agree they need more silence, but we have to remind ourselves and actively create opportunities. You are not in this alone and most people, including me, at some point in life (or everyday) are looking for ways to fill the silence instead of taking advantage of it for our health.
I want to challenge you with a few solutions to getting the proper quiet time in your day:
Turn it off, change it up.
Start the day with eating breakfast or enjoying your morning coffee with the television off. I find that enjoying my breakfast while looking out the window into the backyard will provoke a relaxing, quiet start. Just watching the tree leaves swaying in the gentle breeze, the squirrels starting to search for their nuts, birds singing their hearts out while perched on a branch are relaxing and also thought-generating. Seeing simple things like that to enjoy in life gives me a fresh perspective on the new day. Find your silent morning oasis at your home and give it a try!
Begin the day with positivity.
Beginning the day with a daily devotion or something with encouraging motivation will inspire a positive attitude to carry you through the day. Once a week is not enough in this cruel world that can beat you down some days. When I was working full time and had to be at my workplace very early, I kept one of my devotional books in the car to read a devotion and verse(s) and then say a prayer for the day before walking into work. With the rush of getting ready in the morning and dropping my son off for school, I didn’t want to dismiss that time of silence with God, so it was a perfect solution for me…and believe me, it helped. Find your perfect solution and make it a point to start your day by reading something positive and motivating, and let it inspire your thoughts that day.
Create quiet opportunities.
Cars have so many features and functions nowadays and the one that’s almost always turned on (or perhaps I should say, “never turned off”) in most people’s car is the radio. I want to challenge you, especially if are saying you don’t have time to do the other things due to distractions at home or too busy…please try to turn off your radio for at least 5 or 10 minutes while driving. You will be amazed at what comes to your thoughts when it is not filled with music.
Take a walk.
Another thought-provoking activity is a simple walk alone. Whether in nature, down the sidewalk in your neighborhood, at a park or on your treadmill at home, (with no music or tv, of course) it will clear your head…and if you are outdoors, it will fill you with appreciation and amazement for God’s beautiful creation. There have been so many times that I have had a chance opportunity set in my path while enjoying a walk through nature alone, that I otherwise would have missed out on. While walking on my favorite three-mile loop through one of my favorite parks, there have been many-a-time when I’ve enjoyed seeing majestic deer taking a sip of water from a stream, a beautiful sparkling sunset on the lake and even a huge owl fly away just feet from me while walking during dusk.
Discover.
Check out this photo I took on my most recent trip to Charleston of these two white bloom pedals that fell perfectly in the shape of a heart in the middle of the tree roots. I was on a mission that morning to photograph some of the man-made architecture that Charleston is known for, but yet nature beautifully placed it’s own little treasure for me to find and enjoy. It’s the little things presented through nature that most brings a smile to my face and wonderful thoughts to my head.
…I felt like nature was sending me some love back!💜
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of being alone and spending some time with your own thoughts:
Self help.
You might just find that you can be a helpful therapist to yourself if you learn to listen and process your thoughts and actions of the day. I know for me, I always learn best from my mistakes, and when I make one, it can weigh heavily for a long period of time unless I take the time to deal with it, think about what I could have done better and what I can do next time if faced with a similar challenge. Our brains are wired to come up with solutions to problems, so let’s take advantage of this gift from God!
Find your spark.
Speaking of finding solutions, when you allow your mind to wonder in the quietness you might also find yourself being more creative and productive. Maybe it will spark something buried away in the back of your mind that wasn’t able to bloom due to all the social distractions and noise that fills your life. I’m pretty sure the greatest inventors of our time were not jamming to music or thumbing through social media when they came up with their fantastic ideas.
Grow strong.
Being alone in silence with your thoughts can help build your mental strength and expand your brain. When we let our thoughts freely come and go, no matter if good, bad, happy or sad, we start to understand more about ourselves, including our strengths and weaknesses, but also perhaps it will evoke empathy for others after some periods of solitude or alleviate some anxiety you have been dealing with. There is even research to suggests that silence actually grows the brain, by creating new brain cells in the hippocampus, the area of the brain connected with memory, emotion and learning. (source)
NOTE: I’ve mentioned a lot about music, tv and social media being a distraction. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying to gather them up and throw them all out. Some of those things in moderation, such as music, can be a helpful motivator and up lifter and can bring back some special memories for us. However, we need to moderate some of the distractions in our life that can hinder us from thinking clearly or searching our thoughts at all.
