It only takes a few minutes of listening to another’s endless, mindless chatter to truly appreciate the saying, “Silence is golden.” 

Likewise, basking in the realm of genuine silence leads one to truly appreciate sound. Not loud, pointless, nerve-wracking clatter, but sounds that have value, substance and a reason to be heard. 

It is in solitude that silence can be deeply valued. Solitude, which is the state of being alone, isolated or apart from society, is not the same as being lonely. To be lonely is to be without the company of others and is usually meant with an implied sense of sadness, bleakness or a feeling of desolation. But it is in solitude that we can rest and meditate in the silence. 

Winter brings with it the sounds of Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, but in nature, a blanket of silence and stillness settles over much of the world. Birds sing less and the summer cadence of crickets and locusts disappears. Blue skies turn grey and shed a feeling of calmness over the land. Summer skiers and partiers trade warm lake waters for the warmth of a fireplace. The unblemished waters then impart a sense of stillness and tranquility. Snow may fall and cover the earth with ethereal beauty. 

It’s in silence that the song of a lone cardinal can be fully enjoyed and its whereabouts revealed without the aid of one’s eyes. It’s in silence that the relative size of fish jumping in a lake can be determined by the sound of its splash. 

That same stillness of nature can and should be brought into one’s innermost being. Silence has the ability to soothe the soul and calm the troubled spirit. Once experienced, it becomes not an occasional luxury, but a necessity as vital as sleep, food and water. The holistic self thrives when wrapped in solitude and silence. 

But like sleep, people can have many reasons for not spending time in silence and in solitude. But, also, like sleep, silence and solitude can rejuvenate us and clear our minds of clutter and stress. Free from those things, our minds are open to positive thinking, our bodies are relaxed and our spirits are serene. We are Centered. 

Depending on such things as the climate and lifestyle of where each of us lives, we may have diverse ways of seeking silence and solitude. How one pursues it in Alaska may be very different from one living in South Africa. The key is to take the time to invest in that which can drape every facet of your being in tranquility. The following suggestions may be helpful: 

Take a walk

Power walk or stroll, it doesn’t matter. Regardless of the weather, dress appropriately and get moving. Don’t check your phone, don’t listen to music. Just walk and breathe deeply. If you walk with a partner, agree to forgo speech and enjoy nature’s sounds, smells and the vibe of the outdoors.

Nap

Naps are great getaways for rest and sleep, and even more beneficial if they’re taken alone and in silence. Get away from main living areas. Turn off the television. Shut the door. Silence the phone and turn it face down. Cover up, breathe deeply and unwind. Focus on the silence in the room, or the steady ticking of a clock in that silence. Or the crackle of a fireplace. Those may be sounds, but they are beautiful ones because they are backdropped by silence. 

Fish

Fishing isn’t always about catching fish. It’s about relaxing, inhaling the natural aroma of the water and watching the clouds drift by. It’s about savoring the silence, yet hearing the sounds of fish jumping, birds singing and trees rustling in the wind. Fishing with this mindset brings balance to the mind, body and spirit. 

Alone time

Strive to carve a few minutes out of each day to be alone. A great way to start the day is to arise early and drink coffee in the dark for a period of time before showering for work. Solitude in the morning helps one to better tackle a hectic day. Or bundle up after dinner and star gaze for a while. Winter nights can be especially quiet and peaceful. One can get lost in the night sky and find it difficult to return to the house and blaring television. 

Bed time

Go to bed early sometimes, and do so without the television, laptop or that great book you’re reading. If sleep doesn’t come soon, breathe deeply and let go of the daily grind. The silence can be soothing. Listen the quiet movement of the ceiling fan or the sound of the heater or air conditioner cutting on and off. If you live in the country, embrace that eerie sound of distant—or not so distant—coyotes yipping and howling. 

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In striving to reap the benefits of quiet time and solitude for ourselves, we also have the means to bestow its rewards upon others. In the words of Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, a pioneer of Integrative Medicine and relationship centered care, “The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention. A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words.” Perhaps her words will come to mind as we converse with others. Offering the gift of genuine attention by listening in silence to another rather than concentrating on how we’ll respond is truly a beautiful gift to another. 

A quote attributed to Pablo Picasso states, “Without great solitude no serious work is possible.” And he should know about serious work—he was one of the most influential artists of the 20^th century. Picasso was a painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, stage designer and co-creator of Cubism. In light of all his accomplishments, we should really consider value of that comment and let it sink in. We’ve been advised accordingly by someone who created serious, beautiful and timeless work.