Many give praise to the outspoken, the assertive and the loud voices in society. While these traits can be admirable and useful in terms of speaking up for what someone might believe in, one quality I don’t believe has enough light shone on it are the quiet voices in society.

There is a sort of power in the ability to be calm in a world frenzied with nonstop motion and noises. To stop and to listen to those around us, to observe our surroundings, and to use words only when they have the most meaning and need to be said is a gift. Personally, I feel there is more we can learn about the world in which we live by taking it in. Sometimes taking that extra moment to see, listen or feel can have more significance than rushing or saying something for the sake of talking or filling a void in a conversation.

It is possible to have multiple conversations with people that are not filled with meaning or to feel like you might have reacted too quickly to someone else’s statement or remark. In addition, a unique trait of the quiet voice is the ability to think before reacting to what someone else has said.

One definition of quiet from dictionary.com describes quiet as, “making no disturbance or trouble; not turbulent; peaceable.” A lot of times in my life I have been encouraged to not be quiet or asked why I am such. To them I say, “Thanks, but no thanks.” I am proud of the person I am becoming and that’s a natural part of how I behave. It’s nothing I’m ashamed of. If you don’t like it, well, that’s not my problem. Part of my ability to stay serene and placid in an environment full of incessant clamor is through the quietness.

Quietness is an escape, but at the same time is the way I capture the world around me. Through observation I don’t need words, I just need my eyes. I discover what’s around me. I take it all in. I notice the little things. It’s a connection to the nature around me and with myself.

Quietness is the ability to hold back even when you don’t agree on someone’s viewpoint, but also the intelligence to accept and to hear out those whose opinions differ from yours.

Quietness is the beauty I normally wouldn’t recognize if I only cared about the noise and commotion around me.

Quietness is the comfort of solitude and the want for a few meaningful relationships vs. a large amount of people in my life.

Quietness allows me to hear myself from an authentic place. It encourages me to listen to my heart and to believe what I believe. To not let what is around me to consume me, but to confide in myself and to be strong in my foundation of being.

A few favorite quotes of mine on quietness include:

“Others inspire us, information feeds us, practice improves our performance, but we need quiet time to figure things out, to emerge with new discoveries, to unearth original answers.” — Ester Buchholz

“The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.” — Rumi

“All noise is waste. So cultivate quietness in your speech, in your thoughts, in your emotions. Speak habitually low. Wait for attention and then your low words will be charged with dynamite.” — Elbert Hubbard

“Silence is the music of wisdom.” — Apoorve Dubey

We can learn a lot from being quiet. Take a moment and just see how much more you discover about the people and nature that surrounds you. Sometimes the quietest moment can have the loudest impact.