My days are typically filled with noise…lots and lots of noise. I’m surrounded by farm animals, kids, friends of my kids and grandkids. I’m either running errands or talking with a neighbor or sitting in the studio at night talking with callers. I’m always talking to someone, it seems. I have the gift of gab so talking with people really is a blessing to me. But I rarely ever get to enjoy the silence.

Recently we've had some beautiful star-filled nights. I took it upon myself to get outside and see a shooting star and gaze up at the night sky in wonder. I finally got to be still with my own thoughts and let my mind run instead of letting other conversations run my mind.

It's important to build some silence into your life, whether it's gazing at the stars or gardening or sitting in prayer or meditation. It's important to reconnect with your thoughts and listen to the desires of your heart and soul. Some of my best ideas and life-changing ideas have come when I'm on auto-pilot, picking away at my garden in silence, letting my mind wander. When I reacquaint myself with my thoughts, those are the moments I get a healthy dose of spiritual and mental growth.

I hope you can make time for a peaceful moment in your day today. You may just need to wander outside and find a park bench where you can eat your lunch. If it's too blazing hot outside, maybe you can wander into an air-conditioned café and sip on an iced drink at a corner table in the back. Go to some peaceful setting where you can be alone and let your thoughts be present. Just a thought.