The blogosphere is too loud.
The mainstream media, both in print and on the air - too loud.
The radio is too loud.
The war of words is too loud.
The downshouting and incivility and name-calling; too loud.
Some silence is in order.
We will get nowhere, nowhere at all, as human beings or as a nation, if we do not find a way to pull back, breathe and quiet down, if we do not spend some time simply thinking, perhaps praying, simply BE-ING.
I can feel it. I am getting emails from people on every side saying they can feel it. The rough beast of American political theatre is rambling too far astray from what is healthy and constructive.
Everything is too loud.
So, I am going to go quiet for a day or so, maybe two. To find silence again. To breathe, to think, to pray. To be.
I invite you to turn off your computers and join me, if you dare! 
It seems Jimmie Bise, over at Sundries Shack is in a similar sort of mood. He’s giving up blogging politics, altogether.
August 9th, 2005 at 7:03 pm
Agreed, Anchoress. Sometimes it’s good to ask yourself if getting whipped into a froth about something is really the best way to approach it. I hope you find peace.
August 9th, 2005 at 7:40 pm
Good idea.
August 9th, 2005 at 8:57 pm
I will join you except for what I must do at work and what I might need to supervise my new middle schooler who is taking a class called computer technology. I will be back on Friday.
August 9th, 2005 at 9:24 pm
I love it when we can agree. Smile.
August 9th, 2005 at 9:37 pm
Now you’ve done it. You’re going to start a big liturgical argument between the purists wanting more quiet and silence at Mass (me) and those crazy heretics wanting Mass to be a blow-out-your-ears rock concert.
August 9th, 2005 at 11:20 pm
[...] From The Anchoress . [...]
August 10th, 2005 at 11:47 am
I wish I could say, hurry back, Anchoress, but that would defeat the purpose of your retreat.
(Remember when retreats were common even with lay Roman Catholics? I don’t, but it reminds me of my grandparents)
Bully for you, and take your time, absolutely.
I am sad to hear about Jimmie’s site, although I only just started reading it, but if it’s Sundries you want, my Sundries are even more Sundries than his.
Be well, Anchoress.
Cheers,
Victoria
August 10th, 2005 at 12:16 pm
I wholeheartedly agree! Time for prayer and quiet reflection! Last Friday did it for me. Protesters at a military funeral in Illinois, cheering his death and “praying” that they all die…I lost it. And when you find yourself thinking what I was thinking, it’s time to step back. Let’s just say it involved a chipper/shredder…I admire the restraint of everyone there–all the mourners. That in itself is the best testament to how extraordinary these people are…
August 10th, 2005 at 10:27 pm
Thought I would pass this on if your blocker allows! {:^)
Cherokee Wisdom
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that
goes on inside people.
He said, “My son, the battle is between 2 “wolves” inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance,
self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority,
and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility,
kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and
faith.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his
grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”
The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
How true this is! Let’s keep feeding the “Good” one!
It is good to fall back and regroup, good for the mind and body. Enjoy life without the blog for as long as you want, I shall too.