peanut butter and quiet
East Clear Creek, Arizona - a place of peace and quiet
Peace and quiet. Rare commodities.
Perhaps, a bit like peanut butter and jelly (sorry if you are allergic, or not a fan). It is possible to have one without the other, but they are better together.
In my time as a junior high principal, I often found peace supervising the cafeteria during lunch periods. But, it was far from quiet. Kids laughing, playing games, struggling to fit in. This was time away from the stresses of my office, email, and district requests. I was able to talk with students, laugh, and observe how incredibly awkward kids are at this age. I found peace in that.
I’m relatively certain that we all have a grasp on the notion that quiet does not ensure peace. If we are lonely, discouraged, or worried about something, quiet can amplify those feelings. So much so that we often seek to fill our spaces with noise and clutter to serve as a distraction.
Busyness is another significant detractor from both peace, and quiet. We often see our busyness as an indicator of importance, or we are truly inundated and our brain refuses to take five. I sometimes battle this when I go camping. It’s still and quiet, yet every time I take a few minutes to sit, my brain tells me I should be using the time to explore, take pictures, or fish. Even worse, it begins forming a list of things I need to accomplish after the trip. Geez. Give me a break.
Take some time to notice how often you fill your moments of quiet with distraction. The radio. Social media. Netflix. Picking up your phone.
For me, peace and quiet are times of rest where I am able to focus my attention. I’m not looking to “empty my mind.” Reading brings me peace. It is quiet. My mind is busy, but it is focused. Time in nature and paying careful attention to the beauty around me is peaceful and quiet. Or, sitting in a comfortable chair for a few minutes to consider things I’m grateful for, would be an example of peace and quiet – for me.
So many things compete for our attention that if we are not careful, we are in such a hurry, or so distracted, that we never truly get to experience both peace and quiet.
Here is what I know, it takes deliberate practice. But, like that perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it will be worth the effort.
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