Tag: silence

Categories
Attitude

Driving and Mouthing Off

Illustration of a guy driving a car with no mouth

There are times I wish we had mouth restraints as well as seatbelts for safety devices. every time a speeder blasts past me on the freeway, I am tempted to utter some sort of judgement about the driver’s mental health and their obvious anger issues.

But is it my place to make judgments about someone I don’t know? Maybe they are driving at an unsafe speed. But could there be other reasons for the driver’s recklessness?

  • Could the driver be in the middle of an emergency?
  • Could it be the police or another first responder?
  • Could it be a new dad rushing to witness the birth of his baby?

I have this tendency to rush to judgment when I should give others the benefit of the doubt. It is really none of my business as long as the other person isn’t harming me or others. I’ll let the police take care of it (if he or she isn’t one of them).

Perhaps I need to keep my shut. It goes without saying.

Have you ever made a judgment you realized was way off? Feel free to leave a comment below.

Illustration of a guy driving a car with no mouth
Categories
books Christianity discipline

Why We All Need Some Silence

Cartoon of a boy with a teacher. The boy says, "Recess was okay, but I need a moment of quiet reflection."

Yesterday was a big day for me. I turned off the phone and I was in silence for most of it. At my wife’s suggestion, I read a book entitled, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, by Ruth Haley Barton.

I know! It was crazy. But what I feared the most actually was one of the richest days I’ve had in a long time.

It came after a busy couple of days. My wife is out of town. I went down to Florida to help him drive his car back to Indiana. And I know work will busy this morning after being out for a day.

I realize silence is a luxury these days. Our television, phones and life’s demands make it almost impossible to find some time for reflection. Yet it is so needed. We all need it.

We all need some time to meditate. We all need some time to consider where we’ve been, where we are and where we are heading. Since I am a Christian, it is even valuable for me to hear the still, small voice of God. 

So this morning, it is back to the workweek. I know I will have plenty to do, as I am sure all of you will too. Through it all, I encourage you to take some time to be silent. Even if it is five minutes during the day, It will do your soul some good.

Cartoon of a boy with a teacher. The boy says, "Recess was okay, but I need a moment of quiet reflection."
Categories
Illustration Friday

The Sounds of Silence


Here’s an illustration of a woman ranting while a man wears ear muffs.

I’m thankful I’ve never had this problem. Still, whenever I’ve gotten on my lawn mower and donned the ear muffs, I’ve wondered what creative ways I could use them beyond mowing.

I drew this for Illustration Friday. This week’s word is “silent.”