Lowering the Volume: What Silence Can Teach Us

By Victoria (Tori) Martinez

Cars zooming past, construction noises in the background, news blaring from the television. Beeps from the cellphone for every email, text message, and social media update. The world is very loud today. So, what do I do, jump in my camper and head for the hills.

It’s time to lower the volume. Not just the outside noises that bombard us, not just daily but hourly. It’s time to lower the volume on societal expectations, the demands of productivity, the inner dialogue about where we should be in life.

Sitting on my blanket next to the river I can just listen. It is quiet, but not silent. In that quiet I hear my heartbeat. I hear the first robins chirping, welcoming spring again.  I hear the steady flow of the river rolling over rocks nearby. I then notice my thoughts drifting to what I need to do next, that email I forgot to answer, the text message I need to respond to, and so many other rush of thoughts I didn't call for that break the silence. So many interruptions, when all I want is stillness.

In quiet, when we notice those fleeting thoughts drift in and out of our consciousness, the power comes not in pushing those thoughts away but in how we respond to those thoughts. The response is not to be saddened that we cannot quiet our mind, but to listen and ask why those thoughts keep appearing. It is in these moments that interrupt the silence we can learn more about ourselves, our needs, our hindrances to growth, and our purpose.

Hello silence my new friend.

 I’ve come to sit with you and rest.

For stress has left its mark on me,

And I need your gentle hand

To guide me inward once again.

Stop me now from talking without meaning.

Hold me till I’m not just hearing but actually listening.

Show me more

until I write

the words we all need to know.

The ones hidden deep.

Beneath the sound of bustling streets.

Where silence and purpose meet.

Silence teaches many things, but first we must be willing to listen, observe and learn. In the woods life is not about adding more, it’s not about saying more or doing more. Life in nature is about removing the unnecessary and quieting the background noise so we can focus on what really matters.

Like this poem, birthed in a moment of silence; beauty, depth, and revelation can be found in the silence between words, reading between the lines. So, take some time to lower the volume in your life and sit with silence. Let me know what you discover there (share in the comments)!

This blog post is copyrighted to the author; no part may be reproduced or used in anyway without the author's permission. The information shared here is based on personal experiences and is not intended to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for guidance tailored to your individual need.