In this world of buy (nearly) anything at the dollar store, houses are overflowing with stuff. Toys, books, and tons of stuff that you thought you needed is now sitting dusty on the shelf or waiting in the rummage sale pile.
Not only do we own a gazillion things we don’t need, but most of the stuff we own is “entertaining.” Electronics or bells and whistles are in everything, down to the baby rattle that is no longer a simple rattle, but plays-10-different-songs-so-your-baby-is-happy type of rattle.
Our world is not only stuffed with stuff, it is noisy.
Visit any household with kids and the adults are craving having a conversation without being interrupted by kids shouting, crying, laughing, or just plain talking all the time.
This afternoon I was wishing our house did not have hardwood floors. My 2 kids sounded like 20 as their voices echoed off of everything. (It doesn’t help that we only have 1 small couch to soak up the noise.)
As much as I love my kids, I also love stillness. I crave quietness. I think we all do.
At the dinner table they were sininging and carrying on, until I said, “Enough, it is all just too loud.”
This started a conversation about having balance in life. I asked them if they would like to eat strawberries everyday for 10 days. They said yes, until they realized it was every meal! This example gave them their needed perspective on balance.
I then proceeded to recite a verse on our wall.
Let us be silent so that we may hear the whisper of God. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
With that I sent them to bed to do just that- Be still. Be quite. Listen for the whispers of God and the angels. God and the angels speak to us everyday, they did in the bible, so why would they stop now?
I excitedly tucked in my boys letting them know I would be waiting to learn what they heard.For the first time in nearly 3 years they fell fast asleep within minutes at 12:30 in the afternoon.
It was then that I realized we as a society are not always allowing space or time for what is most needed- the art of being still, quiet and peaceful.
Blessings,
Summer Joy
6 Comments
joy
June 3, 2012Very thoughtful and will be refreshing to those of us parents who read it with an open mind. Thank you for “quieting down this noisy world”
Summer Joy
June 17, 2012You are most welcome! : )
Jackie DeGrandis
June 17, 2012This is beautiful, Summer. I love the quote and thought-provoking message you gave to your sweet boys. However, it leaves me wondering what they shared with you the next morning. Perhaps you can do a follow-up.
Summer Joy
June 17, 2012Thank you Jackie! When the boys awoke they were very peaceful, the message seemed to bring them the peace we were all searching for that day. They didn’t share anything immediately, but later one did say, “Mom. When I am standing I am wild. When I am laying down I am cozy and calm. I think I will take another nap today.”
That day seems to linger in our hearts and has been the catalyst for us to continue holding stillness and peace which has brought a great sense of simplicity to our lives. Your request for a follow-up post is a marvelous idea. Thank you for your inspiration!
Kind Regards,
Summer Joy
Roberta Duncan
June 17, 2012…a beautiful post…your insight and appreciation will certainly be a blessing to any who have the opportunity to work with you…
Summer Joy
June 17, 2012Thank you kindly!
Leave A Response To Summer Joy Cancel reply