Create Quiet

By Carol Woolum Roberts

Today Paul and I and three other women spent six hours creating quiet in our home and backyard.

We prayed using Breath Prayer.

We journaled throughout the day.

We spent time alone.

We spent times sharing our experiences together.

We did some prayer practices like Lectio Divina, focusing on Psalm 23, and The Examen.

We all individually did an Awareness Walk.

We did a Senses Exercise to be aware of how we were interacting with the world around us.

We did a time at the end of sharing what we learned from the day of Creating Quiet and being aware.

“I liked how we all had some of the same words we focused on, like water, life and green.  I love how He drew me near as I listened to the God-made sounds around me.”

“Today I felt a sense of learning and discovery, both internal and external.  I also like focusing on the elements of nature around me.”

“We often think of this time as a quiet, alone time with God.  But I love the times of sharing with others, and hearing what they have learned throughout the day.”

“I attended this last year, when I was wrapped up in grief.  This last year has been a year of healing, and this year I felt like I could take a moment to breathe.  Now I am open to new experiences, and I look at things with gratitude.  I have learned that life is meant to be experienced.”

For me I realized that I don’t take as much time as I should just being still in my backyard, and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.  And instead of doing something, like weeding or planting, I need to learn to just sit and listen and be aware.  I hope to do more of that this summer.

We discussed the idea of having another Create Quiet retreat in September or October, when the gardens have a different look to them.  We love opening our home and yard to people who want to Create Quiet in their lives.

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Do you have any practices in your life that help you Create Quiet in your life?

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