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Silent Life

Silent Night is one of the most popular Christmas carols on Earth. Since its introduction in 1807, it has been translated into nearly every language on Earth. The popularity of the song is based on how strongly it resonates with people in this busy age. How can we find solace in silence?

Silence

Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
~Benjamin Franklin

A big part of communicating is listening. People who take the time to listen to others have a better chance of having something productive to say in response. Watch (if you dare and aren’t easily offended) the clip from Rush Hour to see how this applies to Inspector Lee’s personal philosophy.

*** WARNING – UNCENSORED HARSH LANGUAGE – WARNING ***

*** WARNING – UNCENSORED HARSH LANGUAGE – WARNING ***

People who let people talk who like to talk usually come out ahead in the end because they’re easily able to determine how full of it they are. Wasting time on idle chit-chat, venal gossip or other wastes of time is out of character with the Christmas Virtues.

Be Still

One thing is consistent throughout the Bible. When you find silence, you find God. Abraham, Moses, Samuel and even Jesus went to a quiet place where they could clearly hear the voice of God. In the silence, they found peace and direction.

We can do very much the same. We have so much noise in our lives. Even in our darkened bedrooms with all of the electronics and other distractions turned off, we find deafening noise in our heads. All of our fears, guilt, incomplete aspirations swirl between our ears like rushing waterfalls of despair.

How can we turn it all off?

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. ~Psalm 46:10

⁸And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

⁹Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

¹⁰And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

¹¹And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. ~1 Samuel 3:8-11

Speak, Lord; your servant hears. Find your silence in the magnificence of God. Whether there is a truly tremendous noise around you or just the tumult in your head, you can always be still and know that He is God.

Inner Peace & Quiet

The idle chitchat that Benjamin Franklin eschews is just more of the noise that people fill their heads and aching souls with. Whether you are religious or not, you can still apply a similar formula:

• Take a few deep breaths
• Slow your breathing until your heart rate settles down
• Relax your body and your mind will follow
• Breathing slowly and steadily will create a quiet space in your mind
• Stand firmly in this quiet place you’ve created
• Create a Fortress of Solitude for yourself
• Know that you can retreat to this place whenever you need some Inner Peace & Quiet

Silence has a civilizing effect on conversation. Not saying something can reveal secrets from whoever you’re listening to. Quiet has a healing effect on mind and body. Finding your quiet place will make applying the Christmas Virtue of Silence in your life all the easier and more effective.