spend more time in silence

Without going into horrific detail, last week I kept my mouth shut about some abusive actions that had happened to a committee at work. In the past I would have stood up and spoken my piece early in the proceedings, but I decided to stay quiet and not wreck my weekend with stress from what had happened. When I got to work today, the issue was resolved and the abusers were chastised and put in their place. I didn’t have to do anything, except the small amount of clean-up work necessary for me to do my part that completes the committee’s task. I caused no hard feelings, was a part of the “reprieved” committee, had a good weekend, and didn’t get all stressed out and worked up—as my doctor has warned me about. I am hoping my behavior continues along this line.

“Before you speak, ask yourself: Is it kind, is it necessary, is it true, does it improve on the silence?”

Silence is not only not talking, but also to be in an environment of silence, save for the sounds of nature. Living in a rural area allows for these times, particularly at night, yet I still fill up the silence with music, or the TV, or the prattle in my head. Conscious internal and external silence, which is almost meditative but not quite, is a worthy goal.