Life Enhancing Silence

Every morning my Apple watch buzzes my arm at 5:15 am and I get myself up, dressed,and downstairs by 5:30. Most mornings this is not difficult since I have arranged my evenings to end fairly early. I lay out my clothes before retiring to eliminate decisions and ensure I don’t wake up my husband with unnecessary drawer opening and closet rummaging.

Three mornings a week I attend Mass at 6:30 am and the other two I just wait out the dawn and then go out on my walk a little earlier than the other days.

That hour or so is spent in precious silence. At least it’s in as much silence as I want. I admit to the occasional scrolling or listening to a podcast or a book while I do a few stitches of embroidery but it’s mostly prayer and silence.