Turn Down the Volume, Unplug, Listen

So much noise

Inside our head

Our thoughts

Our to-do list

Work commitments

Social media

Twit, twit, Twitter

Facebook

Disturbing news

A million things

Fighting for space

Space so scarce

Turn down that volume.

Unplug.

Tune out the noise coming at you. Tune in to yourself

Listen.

Unwind.

And that's the gist of what I am about to share with you.

Like me, if you are sensitive to sound and cringe, finding it annoying, your response is absolutely normal! The stress from the noise coming at you is only increasing on a daily basis.

The good news is, if you are conscious of this noise, you've already taken the first step towards turning down the volume.

Sure, we can just switch off from everything, but that is not the ideal solution with all that we're involved in, and have to do.

I am about to show you a two-step method to find calm and peace and get your soul back on track.

Both steps are easy. Perhaps, that's why they are effective.

It is a busy world, and self-help is often the only way to finding peace.

Let's warm up, shall we?

Listen

This is the first step to tune out the noise and get rid of those irritating sounds you don't want to hear. Or at least shut out and recharge yourself.

Here's what you need:

• Your attention
• Your intention
• A few minutes - anything from 10 minutes to half an hour. Of course you can spare it!

How to do it:

• Start by listening to the sounds around you, this moment.
• Pay attention
• Do not resist. Resistance leads to stress.
• Do not judge.
• Do not fight your response.
• Try to be neutral.
• Just notice as many sounds as you can.
• Reflect on how you feel when you listen this way, without resistance, without judgment.
• What if you chose to appreciate them?

Next, let's look at step 2, turning down the volume.

Turning down the volume with nature

One of the best ways to slow down and find peace is with Nature.

• Start by finding a spot in nature, as far away from technology as possible. This can be a park, your own backyard or anywhere in Nature.No need to go on a trek or into a forest!
• Find a quiet place to sit (or stand or walk - your choice. I prefer to walk)
• Open your eyes. I mean, really. Open them consciously.
• Allow yourself to notice everything around you. Soak it all in.
• Let your eyes be attracted to a particular natural feature. There's something around you that you'd like to watch for a little longer, right? A bird? A flower in a pond? A swaying tree or a patch of grass? Clouds wandering in the sky? That busy squirrel? Leaves being tossed around on the ground around you? An insect?
• Lose yourself in the experience.
• Focus on what you want to look at the most. Don't think. Don't analyze.
• Imagine letting go of your thoughts and worries into Nature. Let her hold them for you.
• Just sit in peace and enjoy Nature.
• Listen to the sounds.
• Feel the difference.
• Compared to what you usually hear, how does it feel?
• As you continue to look around, notice the details.
• Enjoy the space around you.
• Immerse yourself in the joy for as long as you need to.
• Listen to Nature talking to you in her silence.
• Feel the clarity of your thoughts.
• Don't be surprised if you find the solution to something that's bothering you, a problem that has been on your mind.
• Allow it to happen naturally.
• When you feel yourself fill with comfortable silence, let yourself feel grateful.
• Reflect on at least one benefit from this practice, this experience.
• Can you imagine doing this during the day?
• Is there a space where you can practice this indoors?
• Can you think of other ways to turn down the noise?
• Perhaps music, the gentle sound of rain, waves in the ocean, bird song?
• You don't have to fret over not being able to go sit in a park.

Try these and let me know how you feel, in the comments.

Here is a site a friend shared with me

http://www.pixelthoughts.co/

You type in what's bothering you in the space and see what happens next. Found it quite cute.

Here's another

http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/

where you can listen to the sound of the waves. It is lovely.

If you know any sites like these, do share in the comments.

"In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness."

Writer, editor, blogger, social media enthusiast. Love DIY, Coffee, Music, Reading, Photography, Family, Friends and Life. Mantra: Happiness is a DIY Project. In my free time I play with my dust bunnies and show my diabetes who's boss. Tweet as @vidyasury