illustration by steed media service

Silence is more than golden. In this day and age, it's a personal tropical island retreat. The digital age has wrought a great number of conveniences, but with those conveniences our serenity has been compromised. High-tech innovations have put many of us on a 24-hour cycle with no time for respite. When you do close your eyes, a chirping cell phone may come between you and the rest you so desperately need. But a cell phone can be turned off. And guess what? The world will not tilt on its axis if you ignore a phone call.

Serenity is not a goal or destination, it a lifestyle. If you want to live in peace and tranquility, you have to be choosy about what and whom you allow into your cerebral cortex and your spirit. The only thing misery loves more than torment is company. It is easy to get caught up in a maelstrom of agony, whether you are commiserating or empathizing, but sometimes you have to pray for people and not get drawn into their drama. You are of little use to yourself or anyone else when you surrender your hard-earned calm to participate in an orgasmic feast of negativity and self-degradation. Somebody is always diving headfirst into the deep end of woe, but like dad said, "just because your friends do it, that doesn't mean you have to."

In silence, we touch our innermost sacred selves. Each moment of peace that we allow ourselves to exult in pays dividends many times over in better mental and physical health. Holding onto jealousy, anger, impatience and negativity is antithetical to building a hopeful life based on serenity. Life in the 21st century can be heavenly, despite the trials, tribulations and obstacles. Nirvana awaits us all, in the silence. Take time, right now - before meeting any other obligation - to quiet your mind and restore your soul. Your responsibilities will still be there when you return, but your new peace-filled self will be better equipped to handle them. Peace.

Munson Steed, Publisher
publisher@rollingout.com

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