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Quiet Time

Ten Powerful Minutes Each Morning Is The Key to Balance

By Jay Forte

Horns, ring tones, air conditioners, engines…we live in a world of noise. Getting through life each day requires a lot of noise. Running the shower, the hair dryer, grilling pancakes or microwaving a sandwich, making coffee, listening to the news…we start our day with noise. And it generally gets louder throughout the day.

What if, just for one morning, you started you day with quiet? Quietly get up and move to a favorite place in your space (favorite chair, sit on a porch, out on a bench, you know what this space is). Click on a reading light. Sit down quietly and open a book that you find inspirational. It may be about religion or faith; it may be about the life of an inspiring statesman, athlete, inventor, scientist, novelist. It may be about something entirely new for you such as a new theory about how the world was created, or some scientific research on battling cancer. It may be a photo album of the kids when they were younger. It may be a collection of letters you received when you and your partner were dating.

In this space, appreciate what you find: an introduction to new thinking, a trip with old memories…whatever and wherever the event takes you. Starting a morning with quiet invites an entirely different perspective to your day. It carves out some time that belongs to you and your thoughts. We know that most of us fly through our days, overcommitted and just surviving. A moment of quiet in the start of the day helps to find the right energy, the right power and the right focus to make each day successful.

In this space, allow your thoughts to go wherever they want to go. Day dream, remember, plan, think…just be. Then work to move your thoughts to consider what you have read, think about it, talk to yourself about what it means and what it makes you think.

These moments are spiritual moments. They are not always religious but they always create time to reconnect to the spirit of who we are. It allows us time to think about our road in life, make sense of the mysteries that appear in a day and allows us to better recharge and be ready for what the busy world has in store for us.

For many, this time helps to order and organize the loose and random thoughts that zoom through our heads. These thoughts need some attention; they need to be sorted and categorized to determine what to do with them next. Some we keep and act upon them. Others we only allow the thoughts to pass through and keep moving. This process allows us to direct our thinking, plans and life – instead of just reacting. We now choose to respond in the best way for us.. This time allows us to see that our lives are up to us and we must direct, organize and live them in the best way we can. Control over this process starts with a quiet moment to get organized, learn to listen and become focused.

Some of the wisest people I know start their morning with a reconnection to their beliefs, their purpose and with a statement of gratitude. A quiet moment lets this happen. A quiet moment encourages us to reconnect with ourselves, to be honest with ourselves and to direct each day. Starting each day with gratitude encourages a positive outlook and welcomes a more powerful energy presence during the day. Counting blessings also helps to insure that we stay grounded, connected and see the great things that are always present, though sometimes hidden by disappointments and difficult situations.

With age comes wisdom; the older I become, the more I find the quiet of the morning to be one of my greatest gifts. Educators will tell us that none of us will change our behavior unless we see a personal benefit from the change. Getting up early requires going to bed earlier. But the benefit of quiet time makes the process worthwhile.

As I rise, I look forward to seeing where my thoughts will take me – guided only by a concentration on the good things in life, the things that make me happy, and the ability to have the time to think. This process helps me drive the outcomes of my day. This process helps me get more from each day and feel more connected to the world around me.

Ten minutes of quiet time helps me access the wisdom of the ages – or at least the wisdom that can drive a more powerful life for me. Commit to your quiet time. Invest in yourself. It is your great life and it needs you to be in charge to make it happen. Appreciate your life. Live it well. Live it fully.