For over 30 years, an acoustic ecologist (yes, that’s a thing) named Gordon Hempton has been compiling what he calls “The List of the Last Great Quiet Places.” It consists of places with at least 15 minutes of uninterrupted quiet during daylight hours. At last count there were only 12 quiet places in the entire United States.
Quiet is hard to find, but of great value.
In a study of students at a grade school in Manhattan, psychologist Arline Bronzaft found that children assigned to classrooms on the side of the school facing the elevated train tracks were 11 months behind their counterparts on the quieter side of the building.
The Scriptures are a big fan of quiet. Jesus quieted the storm (Mark 4:35-41). God said to “be still” (Psalm 46:10). The Bible repeatedly tells us to “be silent” (Exodus 14:14, Psalm 4:4, Proverbs 12:15).
Quiet is hard to find, but of great value.
Recovery Step: Identify a quiet place where you can have a quiet time every day. Then do it.
