Carol Moehrle
How many times have we told our children, “Be quiet and listen”? I have said these words many times to my own children and grandchildren. I never mean it as a reprimand, but more as a reminder of my expectations at that moment.
I recently heard a mother tell her excited children, “Get quiet and listen.” What a difference one little word can make. “Get quiet” conveys ownership of the quieting activity to the child. That wise mother also reminded me of a much softer, more responsive way to help children and adults with the process of quieting our bodies and minds.
Adults, too, need to remember how to get quiet and listen. Sometimes the listening and the quiet are necessary for focusing our energy and thoughts on a mental task. Sometimes we need to quiet our emotions, doubts, or fears so that we can hear our inner voice of confidence and strength.
How do we get quiet? Start by taking a few deep breaths, which helps prepare our minds and bodies for active listening. To really listen to our own inner voices, or to the voices of other people, we must first get quiet.
Are you quiet enough to listen?
b-Resilient