Many people living in one day at a time recovery do not like the noise they find when they are alone. Some of us will put on a radio to drown out the noise in our own heads. Sometimes we put on the television. We might even put them on in more than one room. Some of us will scroll our phones or our computers. Some of us will play our play list on other electronic devices. We do so in hopes that something will catch our attention keeping us engaged for a while. Some of us will notice we did so without speaking, and the noise in our heads had ceased for a bit. In addition to these methods of stopping the noise some of us read, write, or become involved in creative activities. These are all forms of quiet resistance. In all reality this quiet resistance keeps us involved, engaged and attached to activity coming from outside the mind. When the noise is quiet enough for us to be mindful during these moments of quiet resistance, usually we will find these activities pleasant and worthwhile. When we learn to be aware enough to appreciate these mindful activities, we will be able to do it in forms of contemplation in our own backyards, the forest, or an urban park. In such settings we will also find the calm. Quiet resistance is a tool of recovery. At times we will find that we experience the gift of being in awe. We’re not being foolish. Sometimes the noise can be brutal. We all deserve a break. Peace.
