On Noise

It’s been a season of muting, a conscious decision to be selective with my intake. There are other seasons where I’ve postured myself like a sponge, sitting saturated with all that I’m able to hold - the rat studies on habit formation, raising children in a (dis)connected world, building businesses that last, urban micro gardens, the art of neighboring. What a privilege to learn from all the good in the world, generous experts offering tools to help us refine, build, and heal. And yet, even as a very appreciative beneficiary, I’m realizing that the slightly exhausting effects of having so much access is akin to my experience online shopping - ooh I love that (add to cart), definitely a staple (add to cart), necessary to keep on hand (add to cart). Too many yeses and clicks later, I’m now looking at an overflow of all the potentially good things that I may never need, or already have. So the parsing starts again.

As we sit at the cusp of the busiest time of year in the midst of election season, my daily reminder is to carefully choose what to add to cart and what to hold at a healthy distance, no matter how essential it seems. Well-meaning advice may never apply to my very particular story (or yours?). As the world continues to fill with noise, I'm happily adjusting my dials, tuning in to hear from the ones who sit around my dinner table, offer us the weekend’s sourdough, put on the church carnival. Perhaps living fully and generously present is the best way we’ll learn anything at all.

In the quiet,

Pat