Spaces and Silences
“Especially crucial for a bass player- he knows when to play and when to let the spaces and silences create the groove he’s looking for.” (Shauna Niequist describing her friend)
The past year introduced many opportunities for spaces and silences in my days, my plans, and my thoughts. I wasn’t used to that when my schedule and mind were always filled. They were usually filled with people and events, that all became distanced or were cancelled. I didn’t have as many situations to overthink or places to overcommit.
I began having space for silence and allowing silence to make space. Making space for silence was giving up my busyness and rejecting a lot of anxious thoughts. I gave space to quiet my mind and silence my worries. Allowing silence to make space was inviting calmness and choosing what would fill my mind. I let silence trade my restlessness for peace.
Spaces and silences helped me redefine who I am away from the noise, away from the very things I previously used to define myself. Spaces and silences are no longer alarms telling me that I’m not being productive enough, or playing enough, but signals that I am actually on my way to creating the groove I’m looking for.