Have you ever heard the wonderful silence just before the dawn? Or the quiet and calm just as a storm ends? Or perhaps you know the silence when you haven’t the answer to a question you’ve been asked, or the hush of a country road at night, or the expectant pause of a room full of people when someone is just about to speak, or, most beautiful of all, the moment after the door closes and you’re alone in the whole house? Each one is different, you know, and all very beautiful if you listen carefully.
―
Hey, Lovelies.
Today is my birthday. 55. A satisfying number.
A grey day will suit me well. Misty rain and cloud, a brooding overcast, a storm.
Or, it can shine. Bowl of blue sky above me, the roar of surf and seagulls, birdsong in the bright forest that surrounds my home.
Any kind of weather will be fine, but what I long for most today is quiet.
The kind of quiet where I don’t need to speak, to answer questions, to attend to others, to be engaged with conversations and emotions and people.
It’s nothing personal. I love connection. But silence is such a gift. Quiet is so nurturing and comforting and satisfying. All I want to do right now is sink into that quiet and just be. I want to dwell today in the kind of silence where you can sit with your dogs or your beloved and no words need to be spoken. The kind of quiet that is filled with space and love and ease.
The kind of quiet best suited to contemplation, deep thinking and deep emotion.
That’s what I want today.
And maybe tomorrow too.
Anything else? Yes. Perhaps a tasty snack, or some soup. Good cake. A picnic – at home or out in nature if the weather is kind – but I’ll let the day show me what will work best. No preconceptions, no mad organisation of events, just a gentle day of flow and ease.
Oh, that sounds like the perfect gift to myself.
Much love, Nicole xx
Nicole,
I saw in a notification that it is your birthday and also received a feed with this quote.
“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you”
It had me reflecting on how you have had so many perfect days with the support, stories and guidance you have provided through the many channels of print, thought and space that you have shared in over the years. I ponder the thousands upon thousands who have been touched and never had the words or wherewithal to tell you of the difference you have made.
So my birthday wish for you, is that the energy from: all of those aha moments, the gratitude from the release of old energy, the tears of joy, the hugs in a blog – that all of those cosmic bits – and more – are gathered and infused to you on a cellular level so that every molecular part of you feels the love that you have created. I hope your day was filled with good food, good laughs, and good cuddles.
Happy Birthday
Sally
One who added uncountable cosmic thank yous to be harnessed from over the years.
Big hugs
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Nicole, enjoy your quiet time as your gift to yourself.
Happy birthday dearest Nichole!!! You deserve all the applause in the world as you had a brilliant journey this far. May your days ahead be blessed as well!
Happy Birthday, I wish you health and happiness ❤️
Happy Birthday 🎁
Lovely Nicole. Enjoy your quiet day or two❤️
Birthdays are special, I hope yours was
Happy Birthday. I hope you get the day you want Nicole.
And I agree silence is a gift (maybe I agree because September 6 is also my birthday only my number will be 57 (since I’m in Canada birthday is still six hours away)
Happy Birthday! I hope you get your wish
Happy birthday Nicole 🥳!
I think you should play “Quiet” from Matilda the musical 😜
I had 6 days of self paced quite.
I hope you are able to gift yourself more than just a day or two.
Happy birthday beautiful 🧘🏼♀️🎈🥱😴 repeat 💕
Happy happy Birthday
Happy Birthday. My brain went to the quiet of colouring in, lost in colours and form with silence about. <3