Our daily lives are filled with noise and distraction.
We have TV, radio, notifications from every app on our phones, text messages, and emails - just to name a few.
We are constantly challenged to know everything that is happening in our lives, with our family and in the world. And trying to keep up can be exhausting.
I remember a day when I did not have a cell phone [when I was young, I couldn’t imagine the day when I would say statements like that - haha]. And now, if I walk out of the house without it, I will turn around and go back inside to make sure I get it.
The thought of being disconnected from my children and family is not an option… or is it?
When I was a teenager, my mother could not track my location. She could not text me. She could not track my social media feed to see what is happening in my life and with my friends. Back then, all you could do was call from a landline phone that was shared with every member of the family. And you had to have conversations to get the scoop on what is happening in one’s life.
I look back on those days and feel that life may have been simpler than. Today I carry my phone with me everywhere. I can check on my children with a simple text, when they were younger I tracked their location and I looked to their social media for updates.
Aside from family, I have notifications set on my phone for constant reminders of daily news, appointments, and events. With all of this, the noise is overwhelming.
Don’t get me wrong, I do love technology. It amazes me to see how far we have come over the past 25 years.
But I have found how important it is to take a break and unplug.
I have to remind myself from time to time that I do not have to be connected 24/7. It is okay for me to take a few minutes to be by myself and with my own thoughts.
If you are listening to somebody, hopefully you are quiet, making eye contact and focusing on what is being said. I feel I need to do the same for myself. I am important too!
Taking time out of my day to be quiet, cancelling the noise, has become part of my survival skills. It helps me to reset and get in tune with me.
When I am in tune with myself, I can control my emotions better, stay focused on what needs to be accomplished, and I have a better outlook and feel more in control of my day. Cancelling the noise for 15-20 mins every day, has made a world of difference in having a positive outlook in my life.
I encourage you to cancel the noise and be still on a daily basis. You may not have 15-20 mins every day, maybe some days it is only 5 or 10, whatever you can find, take a moment for YOU! Maybe first thing in the morning or before bed at night, whatever time of day is good. Just make it a priority in your daily tasks.
You are worthy of that time, and if it helps you feel better, it will help everyone around you as well. We feed off each other’s energy and if you have more peace, then others will feel that too.
Be kind to yourself and CANCEL THE NOISE! #iChoosePeace
Sending you peace, love and joy, my friend. Sam