The Gift of Silence

“True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment, and refreshment.”
William Penn (1644 – 1718)

Many of us fear silence. If we just keep pushing ahead, doing and constantly thinking, we can keep what really scares us at bay. What if this never changes? What if I never achieve what I am pursuing so hard? Why is life so unfair?

But constantly pushing and driving and ignoring those very thoughts isn’t sustainable. There is a breaking point – whether that breaking point shows up in strained relationships, or a major health concern, or depression, or extreme fatigue – all in addition to your challenges with fertility.

When you add in a short time of relaxation and silence to your regular routine, you take the “edge” off of those fearful thoughts. They no longer hold the power they used to. You also improve your physical and emotional health, including fertility..

Today, take five minutes to stop pushing forward and just be. Focus on your breath coming in and out of your body. Let any thoughts going through your mind gently float away like watching leaves going down a stream. If you have trouble completely emptying your mind, pick a word or phrase to focus on: “I am feeling peaceful”  “joy”   “quiet”. As you get more adept at finding the silence, lengthen out the time you spend in quiet. Notice how you feel as you allow yourself this gift everyday.