There is an old story that has been told over and over. As a matter of fact, I am unable to find the original telling, but here it is for your enjoyment. There is a young man who answers a job advertisement for a telegraph operator. He turns up for the interview, signs in and realizes there is a room full of applicants waiting in a large noisy office. There are also customers coming and going and he hears the telegraph tapping away in the background. The sign over the receptionist’s desk says to fill out a form and take a seat. With so many applicants already ahead of him, he isn’t encouraged but he remains attentive.
After a few minutes, this young man stands, walks across to the door of the inner office, and walks right in. Of course, the others are annoyed and wonder why he is bold enough to go in ahead of them. They discuss it and decide that he will certainly be reprimanded because he did not follow instructions.
No long after, though, he comes out of the office along with the interviewer. The interviewer then says to the other applicants, “Thank you all for coming, but the job has just been filled.”
They are all confused, and one applicant protests: “Wait a minute – I don’t understand. We’ve been waiting longer than him, and we never even got a chance to come in.” The employer responds, “Were you listening to the telegraph? All the time you’ve been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out a message, ‘Come in now for your interview.’”
What was the difference between the young man and the others? He paid attention. Although he was in a noisy office, he did not pay attention to the distractions and chatter, he paid attention to what mattered. All of us need quiet time and stillness. We all need time alone, no matter your family situation, no matter if you feel that you and your loved one are inseparable. We each need our own space and time.
Many years ago, I began telling my family that I needed quiet time, especially in the early mornings. I realized that televisions, especially loud commercials, were as grating to me as nails down a chalkboard. My quiet time is invaluable to me. In a favorite chair by a window, sitting on a bench in the park, walking, or other form of being in the present moment transport me to a higher understanding. Once you are practiced at the art form of creating inner silence, you can find it by simply closing your eyes.
Most likely, if you are reading this, you have already found inner stillness. You probably gift yourself with time every day to be alone with your gentle thoughts, your prayers, your longings. This practice helps us to know what we value in life, without the noise and intrusions that can take over. Give yourself the opportunity to feel and hear the gentle tapping that comes from beyond. Savor your time in the silence. It will change your life. Lovingly always, JudyV