Friday, December 30, 2016

New Year's Word

 
My family will get a big laugh out of this. When I was little, everybody called me a chatterbox. And that nickname has persisted even though I am a quiet person. But there is also a desire to talk, to be heard, and in writing, I have discovered an outlet. But the writing itself can be very distracting from what I need to hear. I've had a couple of days alone to ponder and pray what it is I need to work on this year and it happens to be silence. Maybe I will fail spectacularly, but I have to try to cultivate more silence so that I can listen better. Listen to the still, small voice of God within my heart. Listen to the stories. Listen to my husband, children and friends. Listen.

Won't you share what you'd like to work on in the New Year?




Look at these furry friends of mine. How silent and alert they are, listening. I have much to learn from them.

I love this hymn: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

In previous years, my words have been: Trust; Courage & Clarity; Patience; Fiat. It's good to remember the progress I've been making over the past few years, as well as the pitfalls. 

3 comments:

Mirka Breen said...

I will work to regain my once-good equanimity.
Listening is a goo goal, Vijaya.

janlcoates said...

January is always a good time to re-evaluate, think about whether or not you're living the life you're meant to be living. The word that came to my mind upon reading your post is "gratitude." I've been pausing lately to allow myself time to feel thankful for a lot of small things, and it's nice!

Vijaya said...

Mirka, peace to you!

Jan, I think gratitude is the only way to be happy. It's so good to be aware of all the small blessings.