It is a gift to be able to communicate with one another, and these days, when so many people have been separated from our loved ones, communication has become essential. Our cell phones, computers, iPads and Zoom have made it possible to speak with, and sometimes even “be” with those that we otherwise would not be able to see because of the pandemic.
Words of love, words of greetings and farewell, words of warnings and words of information have all become important parts of our day. So, do we really need more words telling us about the pandemic, the tragedy of lives that have been lost, and the stories of the broken hearts that have been left behind? While there is great meaning and value in every story, there is also value in silence.
Perhaps now, more than ever, we need to take time each day, to quiet our devices, to still our minds, and to listen to our hearts. Hearts are best heard when we honor ourselves, our needs for peace. This can be done simply by going for a walk, gazing out a window, exploring a garden or savoring a cup of tea or coffee. When we quiet down and take the time to listen to our hearts, we will find what we are sure of and what we are hesitant about. We will re -acquaint ourselves with our hopes as well as our fears. We will journey through each day, surer of who we are and how we want to grow.
Domenica Rafferty, LPC 