When You Don’t Feel Like Writing
Silence as Revolution
I was once asked what I do when I don’t feel like writing. If you subscribe, you have experienced that answer. I don’t write. No one depends upon the words I write, I don’t make any money writing, and I choose to write. So, if I don’t feel like writing, I don’t write. But I wonder if we applied that thinking to broader life what it might look like.
There are things we just can’t say no to. Feeding those who depend upon us, medical visit, jobs, and taking care of ourselves. But, what if we could choose moments when we just say no to all the things in the moment. This is the mythical life balance discussion, but it is also about living. In a world in which we are inundated with information, entertainment, and shouting; silence and boredom are counter cultural. Actually, silence is revolutionary.
The revolution may not be televised and that could be the best thing about it. I am not advocating being quiet in the face of injustice, but rather being silent in the endless outrage cycle of fear being thrown at us. The silence my allow us to hear the quiet voices crying out rather than the loud bullies. Transformational quiet can be had if we refuse to participate in the constant fear about people who look different, worship differently, speak differently, live differently. Turn off the bullies and do not allow them to control how you see the world.
We are too often led around by the tyranny of the ignorant. Sure, they sound smart and may even reinforce our prejudices, but they are spouting foolish ignorance. Try to turn that off, your own health may improve. One simple way to achieve peace - shut down the bullies. Those of us who are Christian should be the last to share the voices of bullies. We should instead be telling stories of beauty. Stories that invite others into our story and paint beautiful pictures.
There are real things to be angry about in our world. But, if you are constantly outraged by some joker with a microphone spreading lies, then silence may be the best antidote.