It's Thursday morning - just at the end of homeroom. It's still quiet in my classroom. It's rare that we get a chance for quiet. I know in my own life, quiet-time is a choice I have to make. It is very often in the quiet that I meet and encounter God in new and exciting ways.
If you are looking to experience God in the quietside of life, try the BETHANY RETREAT on April 3 and 4th. See me... your religion teacher... or Miss B for a permission slip.
Teens and Religion (Conclusion)
13 years ago
This is a nice post. Quiet time is essential to all of us and can sometimes be a therapeutic experience.
ReplyDeleteIt is very hard to find time for silence. I am not a big fan on everything being completely silent, but I do wish I could be able to sometimes silence myself and my thoughts. It's something that we all need to do in order to keep our minds straight.
ReplyDelete@Victoria. I am the same way, I hate being in silence, but when you do get that moment or two of silence, it is very relaxing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Scott and Victoria. With sports, and school, and other activities, we have no time for silence. I think even though it is really hard to imagine being without my cellphone, I think theoretically, silence would be a really cool thing.
ReplyDelete(@ Victoria & Sford)
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's nice to have that moment of silence to relax and get my mind straight. Its just so difficult to find time for silence since it takes time out of a busy day.
Back in my World Religion class with Mr. Clifton, he made an interesting point that if we ever try to meditate or reflect during a moment of silence, we usually fall asleep. The mind and body are so stressed from things in our lives that silence is taken to rejuvenate instead of managing our thoughts. It's sad that we don't give as much time to ourselves then we should.
I'm glad they've made this retreat available. I think it's a challenge, but one that can help manage our time correctly to fit in time to relax our mind.
I agree completely I love the silence a moment to gather your thoughts and not be bothered by anyone. It's so hard though because every moment I get to myself it seems that my phone is going off or the computer is right in front of me just begging me to go on facebook. Still a few moments of silence is sometimes just what you need.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Victoria and Scott...I can't stand sitting in silence for more than a few minutes, but silence at the right time can be calming and relaxing. It allows me to clear my mind.
ReplyDeleteI think that nowadays, finding time to be surrounded by silence is quite hard. I believe that this is because of the time of era we're surrounded in and also the technology.
ReplyDeleteSometimes with life being hectic and passing us by, each person needs to find a moment with complete silence to think and evaluate one's life.
I agree as well. I think a moment of silence is very important at times, but many of us never have the patience for it. I don't like silence - I'm always doing something, but just a moment to take in all thoughts would be very relaxing.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I would like to say I can sit in silence, I truly can't. It is almost impossible for people in our society to just sit in silence without fidgeting and keeping our mind on God and prayer. Most people have their ipods or cell phones to keep them entertained, and if that isn't available, the simplest thing like a piece of string can keep some entertained for a small period of time.
ReplyDeleteI believe the BETHANY RETREAT will be a very interesting and challenging experience. Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in this experience for I will be away, but if there is ever an experience similar to this in the future I will most definitely accept the challenge.
Two years ago, I went on a retreat (outside of school) that was similar to the Bethany Retreat.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was told that a majority of the retreat would be spent in silence, I was a bit hesitant to go. The previous retreats that I have attended were always filled with talking, laughter, and singing.. I wasn't exactly sure how the silence would affect my relationship with God.
But after the retreat i learned just how important it was to take the time out to have some quiet moments to yourself. It really helped me to clear and relax my mind, making it easier for me to focus on my faith.
I agree with the comments before me.. although its difficult to incorporate quiet-time in our lives, we should all try to do so, because it really does help.
I normally can't stand silence, silence often irritates me in the sense that there is nothing going on, I am a very active person and I can't often be in silence without creating noise or just falling asleep. Sometimes silence is a good thing though, it gives you a chance to be at peace and to reflect...
ReplyDeleteI just realized there is nothing quiet about my life. Even when I'm chilling in my room, I have my music playing. I tried shutting it off today and just tried to sit and think about things for a little while and I couldn't do it. I'm too uncomfortable sitting in silence. Definately need to work on this, maybe it will help me focus and be less distracted...
ReplyDeleteAlthough silence is important I still get some of my best thinking done through equal discussions, usually 1 on 1. I think its just as important to see things through someone else's eyes as it is to quietly contemplate something on your own. I think the balance is what everyone needs more of.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy being in silence every once in a while but not because it connects me to God-it connects me to my inner-self. When I spend some quiet time alone, I reflect on my own life and what's going on in the world around me. That quiet time usally ends with me writing, rather than praying.
ReplyDelete@ Victoria and Scott... I feel exactly the same way. Senior year has been the most stressful especially with school, work, college stuff etc. Silence can completely clear my mind and relieve some the anxiety by taking a step back. We're at a point in our lives where we are faced with numerous decisions, big or small, and silence definitely helps me think things through.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with everything that was already stated. Silence is something that doesn't come often, but when it does, it works in great ways. If we all took a moment to push aside the things that distract us, such as computers, cellphones, etc., we would give ourselves time to think more clearly. With the busy lifestyles that many of us have, though, it is hard to accomplish such a task. We all need to learn to welcome the silence once in a while.
ReplyDeleteAlthough we all live crazy lives I think it is really important to give some time to ourselves, no cell phones,computers,t.v, etc. even if it is just for a few hours can really let you clear your head and just think. Being in silence is a great thing and everyone should find some time to just get away from everything and relax.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with everyone on how silence is great. But sometimes I think to much silence is no good. Maybe it depends on the person but in my opinion, sometimes you need noise. Whether it is the sound of nature, people chatting, or even laughter, sometimes people like hearing those noises.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything that was said. Silence is really rare for all of us, but when we get to it, it's the best. I love to get my silent moments after my alarm goes off but before I get out of bed. Just laying there and going over my thoughts is so relaxing. I honestly wish I had more moments like that.
ReplyDeleteSilence has become for me a way of life. I find it better, healthier, and saner to be as quiet as possible.
ReplyDeleteSilence really is hard to get these days with everything being so fast paced and technology based. Someone once told me writing and praying is half of the conversation we have with God. The other half, silence and meditation, is listening to God. I think in order for us to become closer to God the way He wants us to, we need to make more quiet-time in our even if it's just for a couple min.
ReplyDeleteWhen this retreat was first mentioned in class, I thought that it was crazy and that I would never be able to do it. But after thinking about it, I realized how much i could really use more quiet time in my life to just center myself and relax. It's definitely something that I should take time to do more often.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really difficult to find a moment of silence with all the distractions in our lives so we find it strange when confronted with it. But i think this retreat can actually be a really enjoyable experience because we only appreciate silence when we are forced to deal with it. Besides we all need a break from our lives sometimes.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm not socializing my ipod is always in. I never really have a chance to relax, be silent, and think. I have so much going on it is just such a difficult thing to accomplish. Maybe I should make time for silence a few times a week, so I can think and be at peace.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm not socializing I am listening to music. I like silence but I never really have to just sit and relax. I'm going to make more of an effort to do so.
ReplyDeleteI like silence, but if I'm not socializing.. I'm listening to my music. I'm actually going to make an effort to sit in silence, so I actually have time to myself to think and be at peace.
ReplyDeleteA moment of silence can be a blessing in disguise. It gives you time to yourself and allows you to clear your mind of its many thoughts. Whenever I get a moment of silence I just take the time to enjoy it because I know chaos is only around the corner.
ReplyDeleteI think silence is definitely something we all need every now and then. It's definitely hard to find time for it when we've got stuff to worry about like homework, our jobs, and making time for our friends. I think that's why it's so refreshing--because we hardly get a chance to experience it.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with everyone on how silence is great. But sometimes I think to much silence is no good. Maybe it depends on the person but in my opinion, sometimes you need noise. Whether it is the sound of nature, people chatting, or even laughter, sometimes people like hearing those noises.
ReplyDeleteI've never had trouble with silence, I actually look forward to it, when there's silence. It's calming and relaxing for me. I've always been used to silence and just observing everything around me, but there are certain times, that I feel closer to God, and just wonder why it is that we are given the choices that he gives us. And also just having that moment of silence can be a way for us to make amends with any of the decisions we have made or plan to make.
ReplyDeleteI actually enjoy silence, even when i'm around people I just enjoy sitting there quietly and thinking to myself. It helps me sort things out and get a better understanding of myself.
ReplyDeleteI agree that moments of silence are necessary in any one persons life. They allow for us to really think and reflect on what is going on in our own personal lives and in our surroundings. Even though its hard to find the time to do that now a days, we should make an effort to do this because it would give us peace of mind and would also help us gather our thoughts together.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I like being in silence and look back myself and others as well. I think this is what we need todays and give ourselves some time to rest.
ReplyDeleteI don't really like to live my life in silence, but there's always those moments in my life where silence is a key part. It gives me the time I need to avoid everything I am going through. Being silent every once in a while just to think about life can't be that bad so i recommend people to try it
ReplyDeleteI hate to be in silence, like almost everyone else but I think it's really important to have silence in our lives. Silence gives us a chance to reflect on what has happened during our day, and think about actions. I think everyone should take time out of their hectic lives & meditate in silence .
ReplyDeleteI think when people are quiet and have time to think about things thats when people really come together with al of their thoughts and they really reflect on their decisions more carefully.
ReplyDeleteI realized that i often forget to really apprecaite silence. I enjoy it sometimes because it helps me clear my mind.
ReplyDeleteReading this helps me realize that not everyone does get a chance to just sit back for a couple of seconds and enjoy the quiet, although I get that chance every morning and afternoon on my bus ride to school and home. I've made it a habit to look out the window and think, leave my I-pod in my bag, and my phone tucked away in my jacket, and just think; take in the surroundings as my bus goes through all the towns.
ReplyDeleteI like to have a slience moment. It helps me to concentrate whatever in my mind. and I strongly agree with the idea of nicholas.
ReplyDeleteI believe that moments of silence can help us with anything involving prayer because they really help you to reflect on both the good and bad in your life.
ReplyDeletei believe that silence is a great way to exprience God, in the silence a person can think and pray in the right state of mind.
ReplyDeletesilence is important,and i think it is great for all people to exprience and embrace it when you have a chance. After a long rough day you can just relax in silence think and pray in the right state of mind.
ReplyDelete"Life is like a box of chocolates you never know what your going to get." by Forrest Gump
I value silence more then anything. I find that I am able to really get in touch with my inner self when it's silent. Looking back on it I think the Bethany retreat would of been a good experience for me. I was a bit intimidated by the idea but now as I sit here in silent and think it would of been a good thing for me to do.
ReplyDeleteI believe silence is very important. Sometimes we need silence to get away from all the drama and everything that is going on in our lives. It can clear our mind and help us focus. It is good to take a momment and thank god for everything that he has done for us.
ReplyDeleteI think quite is good. Its a time to think and remember things that have been long forgotten. When I am quite i think about all the things that have happened in my life. I also pray when i'm in the silence.
ReplyDelete