Ever feel the need just to put your hands over your ears, shut your eyes tight and hush?
To consider writing here every day in October feels crazy, except for one thing: I am a writer.
The lessons, desires, and growing at work within me are usually worked out through writing. Maybe it’s that way for you, too.
Sometimes I have things I am compelled to say, art I am delighted to share, words I have spent lots of time handling, shaping, and offering to you.
I did that with my first book and then with my second. I also partially did that with 31 Days of Grace and 31 Days to Change the World here on the blog.
These days, I have truths I want to better learn. I’m not sure how much I have to offer, but I’m willing to carry the questions and invite you into the process.
I need to practice listening and I want to write through the rhythm of learning.
Welcome to the first day of 31 Days to Hush: thoughts on becoming a curious listener.
I hope you’ll consider visiting this month for a simple thought or reflection to start your day. And maybe, if you’re a writer too, you would like to join in the community of 31 Dayers.
This is day one.
Day 2 :: What John Mayer Can Teach Us About Silence
Day 4 :: On Quietness, Trust, and Love
Day 6 :: Why You Can Move Into the World WithYour Whole Heart
Day 7 :: 3 People Learning How to Listen and to See {Hush Links}
Day 8 :: 5 Surprising Essentials for a Great Party
Day 9 :: The Hilarity of Humanity
Day 10 :: Behind The Scenes: The Truth About Why I’m Writing on Quietness
Day 11 :: For When Your Wit is Slow and Your Edges Are Round
Day 12 :: Chasing Silhouettes – When Being Quiet Can Kill
Day 13 :: What May Come to the Surface When You Hush
Day 15 :: How to Listen to a Friend
Day 16 :: One Surprising Benefit of Having a Hushed Soul
All the posts in the series will be added to this page each day of October. If you would like to receive these quiet thoughts in your email inbox, subscribe now. I look forward to the journey together.
Oh, I am so ready for your posts.
October is my favorite month of the whole year yet it is my busiest. I get to the end and can’t figure out where time went and why I never picked up a red leaf.
I’m ready for “hush”. (Makes me think of Goodnight Moon.)
Kristin S´s last [type] ..brown sugar apple dip
Looking forward to it!!!!!!!
Laura´s last [type] ..{reallife} in which he rides with pedals and scares little old ladies
I am looking forward to this month here! Your writing has already helped to change my theology and to mature my faith and understanding of His truth. Can’t wait!
Christa´s last [type] ..Football Mom
I am excited to following along on your 31 day journey!
Barbie´s last [type] ..Day One – Come On In And Have A Seat
Oh! I like the title…especially the “curious listener” part
Can’t wait to read your series.
Mindy Rogers´s last [type] ..The 31 Day Challenge
Love this, Emily! I look forward to reading your thoughts through the month. I could stand to become a more curious listener, too. At the moment, I am mostly a curious talker.
Jen´s last [type] ..69 Slaves Work For Me
I am so excited about this series, Emily!
annie´s last [type] ..31 days of practical faith: an introduction
Excited to have discovered you and looking forward to reading and writing for next 31 days!
Maria Keckler´s last [type] ..In the Homestretch: 31 Days of Fearless Writing
Looking forward to reading what you have to share, Emily! This topic has me intrigued–curious listening–and I’ll be sticking around to hear what you’re learning.
Lauren´s last [type] ..31 Days
I’m looking forward to this! October is definitely a month when I need to take some quiet moments to listen in the midst of busyness!
Erin Ulrich´s last [type] ..31 days of self-publishing
Hush. Something I’ve been thinking about since both my kids are in school and I’m alone. ALONE. I don’t like it. And I keep hearing God say, “Be still.” Can’t wait to hear what your perspective is on 31 days to Hush. Thanks for sharing!
i’m excited to learn with you.
and to be here, again.
{and thank-you for your second book; i’m gifting it today, x5}
patty´s last [type] ..31 Days {1} :: Nurturing {OUR} Self Esteem
Looking forward to inspiration and encouragement, and a little something that makes me smile.
I’m so looking forward to this. I feel like I say this every year but each day of October, I go to your place and your sister’s and it’s like a little gift to unwrap for 31 days straight. Y’all are still my faves. : )
Scooper´s last [type] ..October Plans
Oooooh! Growing; I like that idea. I’m not a writer, but I am a teacher. I teach at the school of life ~ to whomever I bump into for a time. I am still a student, but I try to teach what I’ve learned thus far and encourage others to come along for the joy of the journey.
I spent a few decades in the pit. At first, the pit didn’t seem so bad. I was able to pause in the midst of the chaos of life, to sit and contemplate, to pass on response and responsibility. That had an appeal to me. I needed to rest, and it was easy. But the longer I wallowed in the pit, the more unpleasant it became. I grew more miserable, but had no idea of how to exit the pit I had willingly climbed into. A serious struggle began; the struggle for sanity.
It took me a while, several months, but I finally found my way out. I’ve been running as fast as I can away from the pit ever since I escaped. For me, the way out of the pit was internal; mental. I made a single decision to get out. My thoughts began my descent into the pit, my reactions oiled the slippery slide, and my inaction surrounded me like a cement block to hold me to the bottom it. So, I reasoned, I had to change every thought, reaction, and action that had led me into the pit. And just that quickly, I began the discipline of thinking, reacting, and doing any and everything to stay out of the pit.
It’s not that I never struggle now; I do. It’s just that once I saw the pit was the single source of my misery, I wanted no more of it. I still find myself leaning towards the pit sometimes, but these days that sets off an immediate alarm in my head and tells me I have gotten lazy and complacent. Neither of those is conducive to staying out of the pit. I must work at it.
I like to give the edge of the abyss a wide berth. I choose to live in the flatlands of calm and content. It isn’t hard to live here, but after so many years in the chaos I sometimes get bored. That’s when I become lazy and complacent; I’ve covered that ground. I know I’ll never go back to visit. I don’t belong there.
Super excited about this series, Emily! I’m ready to “hush”…
Stefanie Brown (@stefanieybrown)´s last [type] ..31 Quotes in 31 Days :: Day 1 ~ Assurance…
October has always been a transitional month for me and this one is no different. I am excited to read your month as we listen to life.
thank you for writing this series. can i tell you that i was hoping you would call this 31 day to shut up? 31 days to hush is much better but i have a feeling that your words this month will be a timely “shut up” for my mind & heart to be a curious listener, if that makes any sense. so, thank you ahead of time.
caroline´s last [type] ..31 Days of Rest & Risk :: Day 1 ~ Introduction
I feel such a piece when I visit here- I look forward to your 31 days posts!
Cary´s last [type] ..31 Days of Slow Living
peace….oops:)
Cary´s last [type] ..31 Days of Slow Living
Looking forward to it!
Carol´s last [type] ..Just a Rose of Sharon
Oh, this is gonna be good! Can’t wait, Emily!
so looking forward to hearing what you have to say
paige´s last [type] ..leah~a senior session and the story of a survivor
Good luck to you. I too am on a similar journey…31 Days of Love… I’ll pop over from time to time. Happy writing…and listening.
Dana´s last [type] ..His Unfailing Love Surrounds Us: Bible in 90 Days Week 7 Check In
I feel as if no one wants to listen to me. I usually hurry through my stories, because I feel that it’s not as important as other’s stories or lives. I’ve known Jesus as my personal Savior for most of my life, I read my bible most every day. I attend church regularly, yet I struggle with transparency and authenticity. I know I shouldn’t go by my feelings, but by faith in what God’s word says about me….but I’m just taking a stab at being authentic right now.
Cheryl, I really get what you’re saying. I’ve felt that way in my life a lot as well – like my story isn’t as important as someone else’s. And then I thought maybe that was because I didn’t have a story.
I don’t believe that anymore, but I did for a long time and sometimes still have to work through some of those feelings. Thanks for taking a stab at authenticity here in the comments.
emily freeman´s last [type] ..31 days to hush
I’m with you on this, too, and I’m pushing myself to step out
Lauren L.´s last [type] ..31 days of a new normal {day1}
I love it. Be still and know.
Holly B´s last [type] ..Narnia and My Niece
Looking forward to this, Emily.
Michelle DeRusha´s last [type] ..Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Monday: Bread and Wine
I am definitely looking forward to what you write. I find myself so often glossing over the listening aspect, either because I’m concerned about how I’m going to reply or because, to my shame, I don’t consider what the other person is saying to be that important.
Marie´s last [type] ..31 Days: Shower
I think I should just “hush” now…and wait for your day two!
I’m all excited on your behalf (and actually mine too because I get to follow your journey) – I’m holding my breath for the next post!!
neritia´s last [type] ..31 days of my HOMEtown
Happy & excited to follow & learn
I am a writer too & have been inspired by your journey, thank you!
Such a great reminder that it’s time to slow down and listen. Too often I know I get caught up in the frenzied pace of family, church and work. Looking forward to the daily quiet moments to hear what the Lord is saying through you.
Your creative power can help us for our development of earning capacity. So, this article is very essential to us.
Bryant Talon´s last [type] ..Claman por el nuevo puente
10-01-12
Emily, I love the idea about being a better listener. This was recently suggested to me to do. I talk so much and sometimes forget to listen. I just started another journel that is called “Thoughts of Childhood” where I am writing things that my son and daughter did or said when they were little. There is no way that they would remember these things. An example is when my son was two years old and ran to me with a fly that wasn’t moving. He was saying “Needs a doctor, needs a doctor”. Another time was when he was about three years old and in his room singing “Goodnight Irene” which gave me chills. My mother use to sing that to me when I was little and I had never sang it to my children. I look forward to reading what John Mayer said.
Well, yup. You piqued my curiosity with that subtitle! I’ll be back! And will you tell us more about the rhythm of learning? I really like that phrase.
Lauren L.´s last [type] ..31 days of a new normal {day1}
WOW!!!! This has just made this day that much more perfect….. Today is my 44th birthday and I finally opened this email…..perfect ending to my perfect day!!!! I’m looking forward to this ‘silent’ learning journey…..Now to “hush” and listen. <3
Nice post. Let’s get started…
Mine is 31 Days in Jakarta. Hope you like it. It tells you all about the daily life an Australia Expat family faces in a strange city in Asia.
midnightvisitor´s last [type] ..31 Days In Jakarta Day One
At first I thought you were taking a 31 day break from blogging, which would have been very unfortunate for all of us.
As a musician, the biggest paradigm shift in my music experience came when I started focusing on the listener, more than myself. I began to observe the affect of music on others, take in their reaction, listen to them sing back more than listening to myself. It’s been an incredible learning odyssey, joyful and enriching.
Angela Shaw´s last [type] ..The Horse that said ‘No’
Love your blog
I can’t wait to follow your 31 days, I am not the best listener at home because I do it all day at work! I really need this right now.
Looking forward to also reading your 31 days to change the world.
Hush…ah, what a great challenge you have chosen (; This is my first time at doing a 31 day challenge so I’m pretty excited. Can’t wait to come back for more of your posts and may these 31 days be more than you ever imagined.
In Gratitude,
Michele
31 Days of Preparation with The Homesteading Cottage
Thank you so much for your willingness to share with us all. I can’t remember how I found you, but I think it was through Shaun Groves? I bought Graceful for my niece and ended up reading it myself. Oh to have known this when I was 15. I gifted it yesterday to four amazing young women who are leaders in Wyldlife (the middle school YoungLife) as I hope it will speak to them as they lead young women to know who they are in Christ.
Thank you!
Thank you Denise! I hope those leaders connect with the book as you did.
Stopped by from the Nester!
I definitely need some Hush time! Looking forward to reading your posts.
Julie K´s last [type] ..Me Time {Day 1}
The biggest fear I had heading into a Silent Retreat was that, when I went silent, no one would care. I was right. As we left the retreat, we were challenged to carry silence over into our daily walk. I did. At family gatherings I sat, silently, listening to the stories and teasing and opinions. No one noticed I didn’t add to the fray. Just as I suspected; I am dispensable.
But rather than feeling hurt or angry or sad, I felt a strange sense of peace. I liked being silent and observant. It was as if I could see from God’s point of view (only lower). Speaking only when spoken to or asked to speak gave me the freedom to just enjoy. I didn’t have to think of what I needed to say next. I could convey my point with a glance, a hug, or an action.
I’ve kept the practiced art of listening alive, and I can take the pulse of aroom quickly (an artform perfected through trauma), but the reason I measure the pulse of a room now is to see where I am needed. That person sitting alone in the corner. That group having a heated discussion. Those girls flaunting their youthful inexperience to the world. That child that feels unimportant. I hear with my silence. I see with my ears. It’s a beautiful thing.
This is a really interesting topic for 31 Days! I think everyone needs to learn to be a better listener, to just take a step back and BREATHE in the midst of life’s chaos.
Alex @ Good Girl Gone Wife´s last [type] ..31 Days to Surviving NaNoWriMo – Set Goals
Hello I am visiting via the Nester’s 31 days series. Your series is so inspirational and leaves me with such wonderful peace.
I too am participating in the series. My topic is “Decor To Adore~ finding your style”. I would like to invite you to stop by anytime.
Have a beautiful day and a wonderful fall season.
Laura Ingalls Gunn´s last [type] ..Day 6 ~ What You May Have Missed
10-7-12
I have enjoyed speaking less and trying to listen more. It can be very peaceful.
I cannot wait to read this new blog/chat. Thank you.