Someone’s Calling—But Are You Listening?
Have you ever called someone, heard the phone ring endlessly, and then got that familiar automated voice: “The person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable”? It's annoying, isn't it? But let’s turn the tables—what if that unreachable person is you?
What if your inner self has been calling, trying to get your attention, but the line’s been busy, occupied with everything else but yourself?
This is the reality for many of us. We’re constantly connected—phones buzzing, notifications pinging, social media scrolling—but deeply disconnected from our own inner voices. It’s like we’ve lost the signal to our soul amidst the world's noise.
A World of Distractions
Think about it. From the moment we wake up, there’s an urge to check our phones to see what we missed while we were sleeping. Then, the day starts—a flurry of tasks, meetings, classes, or whatever fills our schedules. We’re always in motion, always doing, rarely just being.
It’s as if the world signed us up for a marathon we never agreed to run, all in the name of productivity. If you’re not doing something, you’re wasting time. But have we ever paused to question ourselves?
Have we ever considered what we’re sacrificing by filling every moment with activity?
The Voice in the Silence
When was the last time you sat in silence? Not the kind where you’re scrolling through your phone or binge-watching a show, but real silence—just you and your thoughts. It’s uncomfortable, isn’t it? That’s because, in the quiet, our inner voice speaks up, asking us questions we’d rather avoid:
- Are you happy with the life you’re living?
- Are your choices aligning with your true desires?
- Are you moving in a direction that fulfils you?
These questions aren’t easy to answer, which is why many of us dodge them. Let’s be honest: when did we last ask ourselves these questions without cringing a little at the answers? We drown them out with distractions, convincing ourselves that we’re too busy to think about such things. But these questions matter because they’re the key to understanding who we are and what we need. These questions can uncover hidden desires, unacknowledged fears, or long-forgotten dreams. This inner dialogue might initially feel unsettling, but it's where genuine understanding begins.
The Cost of Ignoring Yourself
When we ignore our inner voice, we lose touch with our core. It’s like misplacing the remote control to your own life—frustrating and slightly disorienting. We become reactive rather than proactive, letting life happen to us instead of shaping it. We may feel lost, anxious, or unfulfilled without understanding why. That’s the cost of a life lived on autopilot. The constant external focus has left little room for internal well-being.
Why do you think so many people feel lonely even when they are rarely alone? Why are so many people feeling depressed when all they have is success and fame? Aren’t these questions we must ask ourselves? For our sake?
Finding Stillness in Chaos
The good news is that it’s never too late to reconnect. What if we treated these moments of stillness as secret hideouts from the world’s chaos?
It begins with a simple act: making time for stillness. This doesn’t mean you have to meditate for hours or retreat to the mountains (though that could help). It means carving out moments in your day to pause and listen—to truly listen—to yourself.
Maybe it’s five minutes in the morning to sit with your thoughts before the day begins. Perhaps it’s a walk without your phone, just observing the world around you. These moments are where you’ll find your inner voice, faint at first, but growing stronger with every act of attention.
The Power of Reflection
When you start listening, you’ll notice a shift. You’ll begin to understand what truly matters to you, beyond the noise of societal expectations and digital distractions. You’ll make the right choices, not because they’re popular, but because they resonate with your soul. Think of it as updating the GPS in your life’s journey—no more wrong turns or missed exits. When you’re aligned with your true desires and values, decisions become clearer, and life feels more intentional and fulfilling.
It’s in these moments of reflection that we discover our path. We begin to see that life isn’t about filling every moment with activity but about finding meaning in the moments we choose to fill.
A Challenge for Your Future
How about a little experiment? Let’s sneak in some quiet moments, like secret notes passed to our future selves. For the next week, take a few minutes each day to disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself. Write down what you hear, what you feel, and what you desire. Treat these moments as sacred, a time to rebuild the bridge to your inner self.
Consider keeping a journal where you jot down these reflections daily. Over time, you’ll notice patterns, shifts, and maybe even answers to questions you didn’t realise you were asking.
Life isn’t just about doing; it’s about being. And the person you’re trying to reach—the real you—is waiting on the other end of the line, hoping you’ll finally pick up.
