I don't really know if the idea of living quiet life can exist when the world happenings around us changing at crazily fast pace. It's seems so much like a piped pepper dream to me at this point, but I'm still holding on to this dream anyway. It's really difficult. To me, quiet and peaceful would be a calming color, probably a light green or beige. Thank you for the read.
At the end of 2023, I determined that 2024 would be a sabbatical year - a year to step away from unnecessary obligations and focus on friends and family. As it turns out, I've been pondering and writing more, and I've always had the desire to write - whatever that means. It may be no more than memories for my children, but I'm more drawn to those memories this year, as well as journaling them.
Wanting a quiet life but searching for deep connection and thriving from others’ company is difficult. The introverts space is an enviable one as much as the extrovert. Struggling with giving up the peace provided by a recent introvert partner when they would share quiet time and help me rest with company, when ultimately they were happier totally alone. Anxiety for someone wishing for the desire for solitude is built upon envy and longing for connection to the self- how can you find this when so much relief comes from time with others present?
I have been wondering lately about Spirituality and The Quiet Life. I occasionally read a newsletter from Reverend Richard Rohr, a Franciscan Catholic priest.
Yesterday’s post, entitled “A Lever and a Place to Stand” discusses having a fixed point and a lever to enact change.
Give me a place to stand, and I will move the whole earth with a lever. —Archimedes
3rd Century Philosopher and Mathematician
We need a “private room” (Matthew 6:6) to retreat and contemplate says Rohr. “However, we have to remain quite close to the world at the same time, loving it, feeling its pain and its joy as our pain and our joy. Otherwise, our distance can become a form of escapism,”writes Rohr.
It’s good to be inner people but we also need the outer validation. This reminds me of what Susan writes about in “Quiet”. Rohr writes, “Some degree of inner experience is necessary for true spiritual authority, but we need some form of outer validation, too. We need to be taken seriously as competent and committed individuals and not just “inner” people.”
What do we think? Can we live the Quiet Life and be social activists? How do we find the balance? What does the world ask of us? How do we act and be true to our “Quiet” selves?
Thank you for taking the time to write this Susan. And everything else you do. I want to acknowledge you for the time and effort it takes to create, to serve, to show up. I wrote a recent post on my reflections for 2023 and intentions for 2024 and I’d like to share one here that I feel will resonate with you: I am learning to find solace in simply being. To be present with what I need in each moment and to be present with each interaction I have with someone. Historically, I had an obsession with growth and goals every year. My self-worth would be tied to my ability to measure the amount of external achievements I accomplished. I’m realising now that peace is what I am really wanting. A feeling of ease in my soul about life. My focus now is to be a truer version of who I am every year—finding the balance between honouring what I need and letting go of what no longer resonates. The more I am able to simply be without the need to be someone else, doing something else, the more I can fine-tune my hearing to receive direction from God.
This resonates so much right now. I started something new last summer and felt as though I needed to be in all the places, all the time. I've started this year slower and am leaning into creating quietly. It's a nicer way to live.
The theme of 'a quiet life' resonates deeply, especially in our fast-paced world. The idea of directing our thoughts towards the beauty we love is a great reminder to nurture our souls amidst life's hustle. Your words are not just an invitation; they're a gentle guide to introspection and mindful living. Looking forward to the enriching discussions and the wisdom that will undoubtedly unfold during the Sunday Candlelight Chat.
I don't really know if the idea of living quiet life can exist when the world happenings around us changing at crazily fast pace. It's seems so much like a piped pepper dream to me at this point, but I'm still holding on to this dream anyway. It's really difficult. To me, quiet and peaceful would be a calming color, probably a light green or beige. Thank you for the read.
At the end of 2023, I determined that 2024 would be a sabbatical year - a year to step away from unnecessary obligations and focus on friends and family. As it turns out, I've been pondering and writing more, and I've always had the desire to write - whatever that means. It may be no more than memories for my children, but I'm more drawn to those memories this year, as well as journaling them.
Wanting a quiet life but searching for deep connection and thriving from others’ company is difficult. The introverts space is an enviable one as much as the extrovert. Struggling with giving up the peace provided by a recent introvert partner when they would share quiet time and help me rest with company, when ultimately they were happier totally alone. Anxiety for someone wishing for the desire for solitude is built upon envy and longing for connection to the self- how can you find this when so much relief comes from time with others present?
So much of our growth can come from peace and quiet. Wonderful read thank you.
I adore the thought of choosing which side of our nature to nourish. Such a profound piece, it shifted my scope of the world
such a beautiful read. and so timely for me. i too struggle every morning to capture that postivity over daily concerns.
I'd like to think the color of my mind is as blue as the sky for peace and hope, clarity and spirituality.
I have been wondering lately about Spirituality and The Quiet Life. I occasionally read a newsletter from Reverend Richard Rohr, a Franciscan Catholic priest.
Yesterday’s post, entitled “A Lever and a Place to Stand” discusses having a fixed point and a lever to enact change.
Give me a place to stand, and I will move the whole earth with a lever. —Archimedes
3rd Century Philosopher and Mathematician
We need a “private room” (Matthew 6:6) to retreat and contemplate says Rohr. “However, we have to remain quite close to the world at the same time, loving it, feeling its pain and its joy as our pain and our joy. Otherwise, our distance can become a form of escapism,”writes Rohr.
It’s good to be inner people but we also need the outer validation. This reminds me of what Susan writes about in “Quiet”. Rohr writes, “Some degree of inner experience is necessary for true spiritual authority, but we need some form of outer validation, too. We need to be taken seriously as competent and committed individuals and not just “inner” people.”
Read here for the full post:
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-lever-and-a-place-to-stand/
What do we think? Can we live the Quiet Life and be social activists? How do we find the balance? What does the world ask of us? How do we act and be true to our “Quiet” selves?
A teal blue - with possibilities of calm and connection. I want to continue creeping closet to what feels engaged and living/loving.
Thank you for taking the time to write this Susan. And everything else you do. I want to acknowledge you for the time and effort it takes to create, to serve, to show up. I wrote a recent post on my reflections for 2023 and intentions for 2024 and I’d like to share one here that I feel will resonate with you: I am learning to find solace in simply being. To be present with what I need in each moment and to be present with each interaction I have with someone. Historically, I had an obsession with growth and goals every year. My self-worth would be tied to my ability to measure the amount of external achievements I accomplished. I’m realising now that peace is what I am really wanting. A feeling of ease in my soul about life. My focus now is to be a truer version of who I am every year—finding the balance between honouring what I need and letting go of what no longer resonates. The more I am able to simply be without the need to be someone else, doing something else, the more I can fine-tune my hearing to receive direction from God.
The purpose of my work is to empower people to live lives they love. At the base of it is joy. Thanks for this post
I'm in.
Yes! Thank you. I too was feeling guilty for craving and creating a quiet life after years of being out there in the busyness.
I want to live my life quietly
To be open enough to let the beauty I love guide me
To let the beauty that guides me be the the love I share with others
To let the love I feel for life be the invitation of the quiet life.
I’m reminded of a quote from Ann Lamont..
“Lighthouses don't go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.”
I am doing this and yes. It’s peaceful BUT somehow I think I am wrong.
Many people now (it’s cold) are not going out except to buy food etc.
I take my dog out…it’s peaceful.
I get home and it’s safe and warm.
This resonates so much right now. I started something new last summer and felt as though I needed to be in all the places, all the time. I've started this year slower and am leaning into creating quietly. It's a nicer way to live.
The theme of 'a quiet life' resonates deeply, especially in our fast-paced world. The idea of directing our thoughts towards the beauty we love is a great reminder to nurture our souls amidst life's hustle. Your words are not just an invitation; they're a gentle guide to introspection and mindful living. Looking forward to the enriching discussions and the wisdom that will undoubtedly unfold during the Sunday Candlelight Chat.
Sigh. A kindred spirit! Thank you for putting into words the joy of choosing a quiet life - as radical as that may be these days!