My personal theory is that this is a very definite ‘chicken and egg’ scenario. I believe we get all that confirmation because our belief is so strong, not that our belief is strong because of all that evidence.

For example, have you ever bought a new car (or really, really wanted a particular model)? Suddenly, you’re driving down road and every second car seems to be car of your choice. Is that because all of a sudden there ARE MORE cars of that make and model out there? Or is it because your consciousness is more TUNED IN to that car?

Many of these advances have revolutionized our lives. We now live in a 24x7 world. No matter what we're interested in or care about, we can get information on it twenty-four hours a day on TV or through internet. Individuals are no longer forced into same schedule. Night owls now have something to do until wee hours!

And with our ability to 'reach out and touch world' our sense of community has been enhanced. We are connected to world, our families, our work, no matter where we are, no matter what remote location we find ourselves visiting (or living in!). Cell phones, email, chat, and pc-to-pc or pc-to-phone voice services allow us to interact with world beyond us, satisfying our basic need for connection, for community.

As I said, this is an exciting time. But is there a downside to all this technological wonder? I think there is. In 'old days', periods of silence and quiet were forced on us. Time to reflect on day and on our lives was part of pattern of daily living. This quiet time, when work of day was done, left individuals with only their own thoughts for company. There was plenty of time to think things through and, more importantly, to go within.

Going within is an often-missed key to successful living. Without knowing what really matters to us, without clarity that comes from self-knowledge, without peace of knowing our actions are in harmony with who we are deep down, we often find ourselves flitting from action to action. Our focus centers on 'doing' of our lives and not 'being' of our lives.

Going within can be one of most exciting adventures of our lifetime. Connecting with ourselves and with a higher power (regardless of your affiliation or what you call that higher power) can transform our lives. Our ability to recognize that answers are all within us, coupled with our ability to trust those answers, can move us from feeling like a victim to claiming power to create our lives. Very exciting stuff, indeed!

For many of us, however, it's been a long time since we sat in quiet and visited our inner selves. As it is no longer forced upon us, we must actively seek time and space for solitude. Below, I've offered some suggestions that you might find helpful in your personal 'Quest for Quiet'.

But once you find time, what do you do then? Slow down your breathing, meditate, pray, start a journal, focus on an object, think about a question or issue you'd like clarity on, just 'sit', sing, anything that makes you feel connected to your inner self.

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FASTEST, EASIEST WAY TO GET TO THE QUIET

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