LifeSoup by Cherie Dawn Haas

originally written in November 2021

When was the last time you practiced silence?

I did so in a way once when I chose not to send you a LifeSoup newsletter for the month. I simply didn’t have anything to say, perhaps because it was a busy time of working, parenting, and farming.

Around the same time, I did some reflecting on social media and its negative effects, which once again were brought up in the news. Since the last report, I have taken an intentional step back from posting*, or rather, creating content for Facebook and Instagram investors, and have instead focused on my novel draft when possible.

When is it possible? In the hour before I pick up my sons from band camp or in the early hours of a Saturday morning when I can treat it with the same dedication as I treat my paid work. I recently reserved a library meeting room with one of my writing partners, also a hard-working mother, just so we could have a few hours of uninterrupted time, sharing the same driven energy that keeps us creative and sharp. It’s easy and free to reserve a library room – give it a try if you need the space and quietness for your project. 😉

Now that we’re rounding the bend into the holidays, it’s a good time to practice silence in person. If you find yourself overwhelmed, go inward and listen. Remember who you are when you’re not playing the role of parent / relative, worker, or whatever it is that you claim as part of your current identity. Silence will help you tap back into that part of your spirit; try it for the next hour or even five minutes, and see how it feels. You can even take it another step further and journal about where your mind went during that time.

Until next time, may you be well throughout the holidays. If I don’t see you before then, have a happy Thanksgiving, and may you find many things to be grateful for.

Until next time,
Cherie Dawn

*Do I still post on social media, and should you? Of course. It’s 2021 and that’s a big way we all communicate. Just remember that it’s okay to “use social media, but don’t let it use you.”