The Keeping Quiet poem by Pablo Neruda helps remind us to slow down. In our lives, we can get ourselves pretty spun up with activity. There is always something to do for school, work, family, relationships, hobbies, developing healthy habits, and improving ourselves. It can become a hectic treadmill.
Handling life’s responsibilities and working towards your goals is beneficial and builds a better life. However, sometimes it is essential to sit back and be still. I am admittedly not good at this; I try to fill my days with productive activities or with things that help build to that ideal life. However, even I realize it is crucial to take some time for introspection and just be still doing nothing.
Life is a marathon, not a sprint. After reading the below poem, just sit and reflect quietly for some time. You’ve been busy. You deserve this quiet reflection time.
Keeping Quiet Poem by Pablo Neruda
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still
for once on the face of the earth,
let’s not speak in any language;
let’s stop for a second,
and not move our arms so much.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would not look at his hurt hands.
Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
Now I’ll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.
Main Take-Away
Life gets packed sometimes. It is important to take time away and reflect on the life you are living.
Action Item
What did you take away from this poem? Schedule 5 minutes each day this week to just be still. See the difference it makes in your week.
