Article By Kevin L. DeWitt

“It soothes me, allows me time to be alone and think, and …to thank God for the new day.”

My wife teases me about waking up early most mornings.  She’s a night owl.  I am an early bird.  I usually wake up about 5 a.m. 

Most mornings, it’s the most peaceful time of the day … with few noises other than the songbirds up with the dawn. 

This time of quiet and solitude is one of my favorite parts of my day. 

It has also become a part of the day that I look forward to the most.  It soothes me, allows me time to be alone and think, and for me it allows me time to thank God for the new day.

If you don’t already have it, finding a time of quiet and solitude in this crazy, busy world that we live in can be wonderful.  Here are some ways to find it in your life.

Get up early.  Not everyone is wired for this.  That’s ok.  This is one option.  If your day is so busy that you can’t find the time to be alone and to have quiet, getting up a bit earlier can be a good option.  When you do get up early, don’t turn on the TV or the computer.  Enjoy the peace and solitude … go for a walk, read a passage from the Bible, just sit and enjoy the dawn with a cup of hot coffee or tea. 

Late evening.  If you’re not into early mornings, late nights can be just as peaceful, when everyone’s asleep.  Turn off the TV and get away from the computer.  Find other ways to spend this precious time in quiet.

Take a break outside with nature.  Sometimes houses and offices can be frantic, noisy, or simply filled with too much activity.  Try getting out into nature as much as possible.  Go to a park, or a trail in the woods. Go to the beach or river — water is one of my favorite ways of finding peace in nature.  Enjoy the sights and sounds around you when you go.  You’ll come back refreshed.

Take a short walk.  Every hour or two, take a break from working.  Get away from the computer.  Try taking a walk.  It’s fine to just walk around your office or building, but if you can … try to go outside into the sunlight and fresh air.  It might not be all that quiet if you’re out in a busy street, but it’s better than being cooped up all day.

Read.  One of my favorite quiet-time activities is reading.  I love sitting down with a good book when all is quiet, and losing myself inside another world.  If you haven’t been reading as much as you’d like, finding some quiet time in the morning (or evening) can be a great way to work reading into your routine.

Journaling. Journaling is a means to reflect on the things that are happening in your life and in the lives of those that you love.  It is very therapeutic, and if you make it a daily habit it can be one of the best things you do all day.  To start out, simply try focusing your writing on the things you’ve been doing and the things you want to do.   It’s not only a relaxing way to find quiet and solitude; writing things down seems to being a sense of clarity to your thoughts.

Meditate to relax.  Many aren’t into meditation, but it doesn’t have to be anything complicated.  Try this very simple meditation: get into a comfortable position and close your eyes and pay attention to your breathing.  Notice your breath as it enters your body, and again as it goes out. Your mind will probably stray - that’s OK.  Just pay attention to these thoughts, let them go without forcing them out, and gently return your attention to your breathing.  Keep doing this for a minute or so.   Try to increase the time you do this as you practice.  

Museums, art galleries, libraries, gardens.  If you live in a city, it can be hard to find zones of quietude.  But they do exist.  The Speed Museum in Louisville, for example, is one of my favorite quiet places.  You can also try the city’s libraries, galleries, and private gardens. Find those places in your city and use them as your own place of calm in a hectic world.

Lastly, some of these ideas can be a challenge if you have children.  Here are a couple suggestions: try to take full advantage of the early mornings or late evenings when children are sleeping; trade off times with your spouse so that one watches the children while the other relaxes or exercises; try swapping babysitting with a friend or relative; find activities for your kids to do while you get your quiet time.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

-Bible, Psalm 46:10

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