This is the transcript of a video made by ‘Green Renaissance’, as part of their mission to capture personal stories on film that encourage us to see, explore, recognise and value our shared humanity. A link to the video and the Green Renaissance YouTube channel appears at the end of this blog. I heartily recommend them both to anyone struggling to find beauty in themselves, in other human beings or in our world as a whole.
I woke up with these words on Friday morning:
“Do not fear silence, make peace with silence. For it is in the quiet moments that you will hear the message just for you.”
People are so afraid of silence. Televisions in every room. Radios always on. Cell phones. There’s a life locked up in words.
Become aware of what you say. We can’t see the words we speak, but words have energy, and energy goes on…and on…and on. Don’t fear the spaces and the times of silence between words. Those are the times that you can consult with wisdom; what to do or to say next. You don’t always have to answer with words. You can answer with an understanding nod. You can answer with a hug. You can answer with a quiet smile. You can answer with a softness in your eyes. You can answer with forgiveness. You can answer with acceptance. Sometimes, silence can be the best answer possible.
“To befriend silence, you must first befriend yourself. Become your own best friend. And you will notice that you start to value and treasure yourself. Because, isn’t that how you see your best friend?“
People fear silence because they’ve never learned to befriend themselves. They’ve never learned to like themselves. I’ve not always liked myself. I still don’t like myself sometimes. If you can learn to accept yourself for who you are, you will find that moments of silence will not scare you.
“Open the door to your heart. If it is stiff and creaks and groans, push and shove until it opens. You might even need to wipe away cobwebs. Do it. Even if it makes you shudder. You might find that your heart is cluttered and covered in dust, like an attic that no-one ever enters.”
We’re digging deep here. This accepting myself and loving myself did not come overnight. Being quiet was really the start of my journey. It has taught me to let go of things. It has taught me to really make friends with myself. Not to be so hard on myself. It has taught me to forgive myself.
Bitterness, anger, resentment…let it go. We weren’t meant to carry those emotions. In letting go, you will also give yourself permission to start living.
“Be sure to always find a quiet place in the busyness of your life.“
Sometimes the day just runs away. It happens so easily. We are so busy. When I don’t make time for myself and when I don’t draw aside, it feels as if I spin out of control. It feels as if I get out of balance. You know how your house looks after a chaotic visit? That’s how my heart feels. Everything is skew and everything is not where it’s supposed to be. So I need to seek some silence just to dust the furniture in my heart a bit, polish a bit here, polish a bit there. I definitely come back a better person.
“Draw aside where it is peaceful and no-one can bother you. It is in these places where earthly time disappears, where you will learn to recognise the rhythm of rest.”
You don’t have to be in nature to enjoy silence. You can do that wherever you live. It’s more a state of being. If you take care to draw aside once a day, just somewehere where you can be with yourself, where you can notice things other than just your usual routine. Create a little space where your heart can breathe, where your soul can smile. The rush and the busyness of life will fall away for a while and you will be able to soak up peace. Then you will hear the words that silence whispers to your heart.
“And then you will realise that you are no longer afraid of silence. You will realise that silence whispers words that decorate your heart with beauty”
I think beauty is like a Master Key. It reaches and unlocks all the hidden away places…those places that are trampled and that are shattered…those places that are in need of healing. Beauty refreshes. Beauty nurtures. Beauty comforts and beauty heals. It definitely shapes the landscape of your heart. Throughout your day, look around…you will find it.
Go and greet the sun. Talk to the moon. Tell the little flower how beautiful it is. And then…give it back to the world. Isn’t that what life is all about?
“I’m grateful for this life…this one life we have here on earth. It’s beyond precious…I’m grateful for that.You will discover that you are in need of nothing else. Gratitude will be the doorstop that keeps the door to your heart open. Peace and humility will be its gatekeepers. Cherish your heart, for it is from that place that you live.”
La Casa de Paz 