Be Quiet. Listen. What Do You Hear?

Last Friday, I spent the day with my awesome friend Grace Smith, owner and founder of Grace Smith Coaching, where we didn’t talk to each other, but rather we stopped and listened to each other. Think about this statement for a minute… How often do we participate in dialogue with others and ourselves, but don’t actually listen?
While spending time together, she mentioned that she will be attending a silent meditation retreat over this upcoming weekend and my heart skipped a beat at the thought of not being able to express myself. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks and made me question, how often do we really listen and express ourselves with authenticity?
I know. I know. We can update our status, tweet and Instagram a selfie and everyone knows in a few seconds how shitty or how great your day has been. But, how often do we allow ourselves to be quiet enough to listen to ourselves and others? When was the last time you put your phone down to listen to someone in front of you? When was the last time you didn’t think about what was happening next and just enjoyed the moment?
Don’t worry, I struggle with this as well, but I am beginning to realize the impact it has had on my mind, body, soul and iphone. Yes, on Sunday, I dropped my phone and shattered the screen while reading messages and peeing:( Did I think it would allow me to express myself quicker or respond to others faster? I spent the next hour on the phone with Verizon planning my phone replacement, which was definitely not relaxing or productive.
This was a tough lesson, but made me think further…When we are quiet and we do listen, what do we hear? Over the last few months, I have really been intrigued with my own ability to listen to nature, to others and to myself. Society and social media has definitely become invasive and has limited our quiet time. So, I have been making a conscious effort to no longer multi-task or engage in social media while talking to others. Can we limit these activities enough so that we can listen to ourselves and not the smashing of our phones as they fall to the ground?
So, for the next few weeks and hopefully forever, I encourage you to Stop connecting with social media, Drop the thoughts that clutter your mind, and Roll through what your mind, body and soul are saying. As we struggle together, I promise to listen.
With love and devotion,
L