What’s Your Word of Intention?

It was still dark outside when I woke up the other morning, but it wasn’t quiet. No, it was trash day in my neighborhood, which meant all I could hear were the rumbling noises of trucks driving up and down my street.

My granddaughter Lyla loves trash trucks, but I don't. Their sound reminds me of how loud our world has become. The clanking and banging noises are just one more distraction that prevents me from getting in touch with my own thoughts or soul.

As I was contemplating this the other morning, I thought about the masthead at the top of this publication. It states that The Sunday Paper is “for a life above the noise.” This made me smile.

And yet if I’m being honest with myself and with you, I have to admit that sometimes I wonder if it’s really possible to build a life without noise anymore? I mean, these days it certainly feels like noise is everywhere—both within us and around us. That’s why I believe it’s so important to take the time to relish the quiet of the early morning hours (except on trash day). I like to use this time to look within and look ahead—to the day, the week, or the new year ahead.