Sometimes, when we look at the world around us, it can feel incredibly heavy. We see the cracks in our communities, the struggles in our hearts, and the overwhelming noise of everything that feels broken. Arundhati Roy’s words offer such a beautiful, soft sanctuary during those times. She reminds us that change isn't always a loud, crashing wave or a sudden explosion. Instead, it is a living, breathing entity that is steadily approaching us. It suggests that even when we cannot see the progress with our eyes, the seeds of a better world are already germinating in the silence.
I think about how this applies to our own personal lives and the small, quiet shifts we experience. We often wait for a massive epiphany or a life-altering event to tell us we are moving in the right direction. But real growth usually happens in the quiet moments, like the slow way a garden recovers after a harsh winter. It is in the way we slowly learn to forgive ourselves, or the way a friendship regrows its strength after a period of distance. These changes are subtle, almost imperceptible, yet they are happening right under our noses.
I remember a time when I felt completely stuck, as if my personal world had stopped spinning altogether. I was mourning a loss and felt like the joy I once knew was gone forever. I spent many days in a sort of heavy silence, feeling quite disconnected from everything. But one morning, I noticed I was actually enjoying the warmth of the sun on my feathers while I sat by the pond. It was such a tiny, quiet realization, but it was the first breath of a new season in my heart. The world wasn't different, but my ability to feel its beauty was returning, just like a quiet breath in the dark.
If you are feeling lost in the noise of the present, I want to encourage you to lean into the silence. Don't feel pressured to force a massive transformation today. Instead, try to listen for those tiny, rhythmic breaths of hope. Look for the small, positive shifts in your surroundings or within your own spirit. A new world, and a new version of you, is already making its way to you. All you have to do is stay present enough to hear her breathing.