A Fast For The Senses

A Fast for the Senses

No TV. No music. No smartphone or tablet. No children. No husband. No wife. No friends. No talking. Close your eyes. What do you hear?

Silence.

At first, you’ll feel uncomfortable. Okay, you’ll feel more than uncomfortable—it may actually feel a bit terrifying. But your mind and your spirit need a break. Relax. You’ll realize you don’t need all that noise.

You can hear a few things. Shutting out the world like this actually allows you to remember they are there.

Your breathing, for one. It’s one of the most important things you do that you never acknowledge. Take several deep, slow breaths. It’s almost like hearing yourself live. If you’re outside . . . birds, lawn mowers, kids playing down the street. Listen for the wind. That’s almost like hearing the world live.

Sleeping restores your body. Resting your senses while awake restores your soul.

Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.

—Lamentations 3:28