Comments on: Snow and the beautiful sound of silence http://ericsammons.com/blog/2010/02/08/snow-and-the-beautiful-sound-of-silence/ Musings about the Catholic Faith Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:09:03 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: Oprah agrees with me « Divine Life – A Blog by Eric Sammons http://ericsammons.com/blog/2010/02/08/snow-and-the-beautiful-sound-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-7748 Oprah agrees with me « Divine Life – A Blog by Eric Sammons Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:26:45 +0000 http://ericsammons.com/blog/?p=6927#comment-7748 [...] other day I blogged about the importance of silence in our lives. Imagine my surprise when I find Oprah of all people [...] [...] other day I blogged about the importance of silence in our lives. Imagine my surprise when I find Oprah of all people [...]

]]> By: JP http://ericsammons.com/blog/2010/02/08/snow-and-the-beautiful-sound-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-7717 JP Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:58:38 +0000 http://ericsammons.com/blog/?p=6927#comment-7717 I came to embrace silence several years ago, as I struggled to escape a stress disorder. Even EWTN became 'noise'! We do not have television and I don't listen to the radio, but we do have several computers, which can be every bit as bad. I think taking holidays from media is a grand idea. I am trying to tell my kids that silence will not kill them. Up here, snow is no novelty, but I will vouch for the evening walk on a not-too-cold, clear night. Even talking somehow seems quieter. Even better is having a very light snow falling. The silence is like velvet. I came to embrace silence several years ago, as I struggled to escape a stress disorder.

Even EWTN became ‘noise’! We do not have television and I don’t listen to the radio, but we do have several computers, which can be every bit as bad.

I think taking holidays from media is a grand idea. I am trying to tell my kids that silence will not kill them.

Up here, snow is no novelty, but I will vouch for the evening walk on a not-too-cold, clear night. Even talking somehow seems quieter. Even better is having a very light snow falling. The silence is like velvet.

]]> By: Clare http://ericsammons.com/blog/2010/02/08/snow-and-the-beautiful-sound-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-7706 Clare Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:35:04 +0000 http://ericsammons.com/blog/?p=6927#comment-7706 Great thoughts. I am reminded of Mother Teresa: "We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls." She also said something to the following effect, which I love - that the silence of Jesus in the womb of Mary "cries out" to the Christian for the discipline of silence. My home is now silent too, in the middle of the day, since I made all the kids go play in the snow. Whatever works. Great thoughts. I am reminded of Mother Teresa: “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.”

She also said something to the following effect, which I love – that the silence of Jesus in the womb of Mary “cries out” to the Christian for the discipline of silence.

My home is now silent too, in the middle of the day, since I made all the kids go play in the snow. Whatever works.

]]> By: Dean http://ericsammons.com/blog/2010/02/08/snow-and-the-beautiful-sound-of-silence/comment-page-1/#comment-7698 Dean Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:19:28 +0000 http://ericsammons.com/blog/?p=6927#comment-7698 Excellent ideas all. A few follow-up thoughts: 1). "Weekend Luddite". This is an idea I saw elsewhere, and I've found it really beneficial (inasmuch as I've been able to stick to it). The idea is no electronic devices on the weekend between breakfast and dinner/supper. I originally just restricted myself from the computer during that time, but it's even better if you stay away from TV, iPod, &c. Even better if you can stay off the phone, although I usually make an exception for the land-line. Cell phone, of course, should be turned to its off position. Well worth the try. 2). Getting up early - I second your suggestion with enthusiasm. The early morning is the quietest part of any 24-hour day. People will stay up late into the night but only crazy people (and Christians seeking some peace) get up early voluntarily. It's a good time to pray, read, stare out the window, whatever. Be careful not to get too enthused with it to the detriment of other areas. I speak from experience. If you're too tired at 7:30 p.m. to be a good husband or father, then things may be out of balance a little. 3). Praying any part of the Divine Office (or Liturgy of the Hours), in any of its various forms. Same idea as the Rosary - if not as quiet, still time spent with the Psalms is always time well spent and you never know when God might give you a few moments of true contemplation. This was as integral to those wise old desert monks as the manual labor. Thanks for the post. A good reminder. I too am enjoying the snow, for similar reasons. Excellent ideas all. A few follow-up thoughts:

1). “Weekend Luddite”. This is an idea I saw elsewhere, and I’ve found it really beneficial (inasmuch as I’ve been able to stick to it). The idea is no electronic devices on the weekend between breakfast and dinner/supper. I originally just restricted myself from the computer during that time, but it’s even better if you stay away from TV, iPod, &c. Even better if you can stay off the phone, although I usually make an exception for the land-line. Cell phone, of course, should be turned to its off position. Well worth the try.

2). Getting up early – I second your suggestion with enthusiasm. The early morning is the quietest part of any 24-hour day. People will stay up late into the night but only crazy people (and Christians seeking some peace) get up early voluntarily. It’s a good time to pray, read, stare out the window, whatever. Be careful not to get too enthused with it to the detriment of other areas. I speak from experience. If you’re too tired at 7:30 p.m. to be a good husband or father, then things may be out of balance a little.

3). Praying any part of the Divine Office (or Liturgy of the Hours), in any of its various forms. Same idea as the Rosary – if not as quiet, still time spent with the Psalms is always time well spent and you never know when God might give you a few moments of true contemplation. This was as integral to those wise old desert monks as the manual labor.

Thanks for the post. A good reminder. I too am enjoying the snow, for similar reasons.

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