December's Word of the Month
by Linda Lee Sheldon on 12/12/14
December brings us the time of Solstice, a time when the sun appears to stand still before it begins to move across the sky in the opposite direction. We can take a a tip from the sun and take a few minutes to go into that quiet space of suspended activities to regain our balance and calm the chaos.
The word of the month is... Silence - the absence of audible sound. Just a few minutes of silence or "quiet time" can bring a peace to our inner world.
For those who think it's impossible to have quiet time here's a little trick I use that works well. I set aside my thoughts and bring my attention to the present moment. In the present moment there is a softness that arises as the stress created by the thoughts subsides and the realization of the now comes into focus.
Look at what you are thinking about. Are you dwelling on the past? Focusing on the future? While we may not think of it as noise our thoughts can be noisy and very distracting! But if we can bring our attention, our focus to the present moment and what's happening right now there is a calm, a peace, a silence that arises.
We don't have to be consumed by the constant chatter in our minds. Mindfulness meditation techniques can help you move into the silence of the moment with easy techniques. Take a few slow deep breaths and/or replace the jumble of thoughts running through your head with a word or two repeated over and over in your mind. Or repeat a positive affirmation. These are a few techniques that can quickly take you to that quiet space.
You can learn more about the easy ways to incorporate Mindfulness Meditation into your daily life by taking a meditation class, contacting me for personal guidance or finding a resource in your area. I wish you peace and calm as you enter the Silence of the moment.
Share your December stories of silence with us here or on Facebook.
