The Forty Files

Silence is the best answer to the noise.― Aiyaz Uddin

These last few weeks life has been loud aka busy. There’s been an endless checklist of sorts, which has made it complicated to locate and lean into silence. There’s almost always an ebb and flow to life, and I’ve learned to ride the waves. However, I often crave nothing more than a standstill, and this desire always comes to me in the noisiest facets of life. One might say it’s inconvenient, but I’d argue it’s deliberate. We sometimes need silence in order to understand the noise.

Let me be clear that I am the creator of my chaos and the champion of my calm. It’s been a helpful perspective to understand and accept this, while working towards best practices for functionality and performance. When the latter is impacted, I know I need to carve out the space for silence, and to retreat accordingly.

And so I’m waving the flag to noise and celebrating silence. I covet the chance to reflect without distraction or division. To hear, see, and feel what is best, to recognize and relish what makes me feel most alive and inspired, and to embrace the magic in the mess. This, and so many of life’s lessons, come to me in afterthought when I let silence lead the conversation.

Turn the volume down. There’s a flood of things waiting for you on the silent side.