TWO CENTS WORTH:
Country music star Kenny Chesney has a fairly new song entitled “Noise.” Here are the lyrics from the chorus of this song:
Yeah we scream, yeah we shout 'til we don't have a voice
In the streets, in the crowds, it ain't nothing but noise
Drowning out all the dreams of this Tennessee boy
Just tryna be heard in all this noise
(https://youtu.be/k-VAXRC_hxk)
This idea strikes a chord with me. When we have 24 hour “news” noise, an incessant media propagating their own agenda, people trying to get our attention to sell us something, and radio/TV/online advertisements screaming at us, it feels like it is becoming more and more difficult to focus on what matters most in our lives.
I’ve been making an intentional effort to turn off the noise of the world around me so I can think clearly about what matters most in my life. It’s a difficult and often frustrating effort…and oh SO worth it!
If you wouldn’t mind indulging me in a brief exercise, you may find this valuable:
Stop reading this note.
Put your cell phone on mute.
Turn off your computer screen, put down your tablet, or close your laptop.
Close your eyes and think ONLY about four of the five “F”s of life: Faith, Family, Fitness, Friends. Not the noise in those facets of life…but the uplifting, refreshing facets.
Ready…set…go!
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Hopefully, you’re reading this section after you’ve had a minute to quiet the noise and push the reset button on your mind. If you’ve experienced a bit of refreshment or a bit of perspective, I’d love to hear about it. Please drop us a quick note to let us know how it felt to get rid of some of the noise, even if for just a short time.
Make it a great week!
Scott Cousino, CFP®