We live in a world carrying its fair share of clamor, chaos, and commotion.
Its abstractions, distractions, and preoccupations.
Throw in some agitation and a large dash of clutter.
It’s a recipe of heaviness our souls weren’t created for.

The flip side is many of us in the U.S. live in a world of choices and abundance. This can be a delightful thing. It does require management.
The last year and a half has turned many certainties turtle. Where we used to find control or at least believed we were in control, has called for recalibration. Not one of us hasn’t been affected in some way. Whether fighting disease or discouragement, our hearts must hang on to hope.
As I mused on all that is, in our world, in the daily of our lives, I began to craft a list of simple practices to cut through some of the clamor. A list, I confess, I too often forget to refer back to.

A QUIETING LIST

1. Focus on one task. Choose one. Block out all others and let distractions land where they will! Accomplishment is a win. It feels happy. Your one task may be matching all the socks or writing 300 words. It may be mowing the yard or jotting a happy mail note. We aren’t looking for gigantic things here. One small detail at a time.

2. Do something you love for an hour. Reading, crafting, jogging, sewing, baking, napping, watercolor, journaling, biking, arranging flowers, rearranging your furniture, playing violin…

3. Say no. Especially to the things that drain you or cause angst. Every yes is, in reality, a no to something else. Every no opens space for energizing yeses.

4. Spend an hour with God. Breathe in His beauty and goodness. Breathe out gratitude and praise.

5. Ignore your phone. Turn off notifications. Set it to silent. Turn it off completely if possible. Life happened for many years before our phones-of-today. I love many of the positive qualities my phone adds to my life. But sometimes phone-free gives space for our souls, our creativity, our imagination to flow and breathe. {And when using your phone, follow what is helpful, hopeful, and beautiful. Cut out outrage, negativity, and what shapes your soul in detrimental ways.}

6. Take a walk. Notice the skies. Look at the leaves on the trees. Listen to the birds and bugs. Creation sings glory.

7. Organize your space. Set a timer for twenty minutes and tidy. Turn on music. I’m amazed every time I actually remember to do this at the way a cleared-off kitchen island adds order and calm to my home and my mental state.

8. Direct your schedule instead of it directing you. Notice what activities it becomes filled with. Name what you want it to look like.

9. Read Psalm 40 aloud. Read it in a few different translations.

10. Savor a snack you love in a space you love. Your favorite armchair. Outdoors in your hammock. In the breakfast nook or screened-in porch.

What else might you add to this list? What practices do you have in your life? I’d love to hear!

“We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence.” ~ Mother Teresa

“Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,
    turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,”
    ignore what the world worships;
The world’s a huge stockpile
    of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one compares to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know,
    and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words
    account for you.” ~ Psalm 40:4-5