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Embracing Silence and Stillness: A Thanksgiving Reflection

Thanksgiving Weekend is often considered one of the most traveled holidays—and for good reason. The rush to the stores for last-minute supplies, the crowded roads, and the busy airports are part of the holiday season’s frenetic energy. It’s a time when it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle. I’ve always found the mad dash for supplies strangely fascinating, as it’s almost as if people are scrambling to create the perfect holiday. But this year, I decided to take a different approach.

This year, I kept things simple. We enjoyed a Costco frozen dinner, which was surprisingly delicious, and I only cooked mashed potatoes. For dessert, my daughter baked a cake to take to our friends. The house, for the most part, was quiet. That quietness wasn’t just the absence of noise; it was the peaceful stillness that invited us to rest—truly rest. We needed to sleep in, to take a break from the constant motion of life.

The day before Thanksgiving, I lost a friend and mentor. It was a moment that reminded me of the preciousness of time and the importance of pausing, of reflecting, of being still. Sometimes, we resist stillness. We fear it. We think it’s unproductive, or we think we need to be doing something at all times. But this year, I welcomed it.

There’s a part of me that often dreads being at home. My natural inclination is to get things done—to clean, declutter, organize, and tackle the endless to-do list that never seems to end. With tax season on the horizon, laundry to do, papers to shred, and countless tasks piling up, I tend to feel overwhelmed by the never-ending busyness.

But in the quiet moments this weekend, I learned to embrace something more profound than simply checking things off a list: I embraced stillness.

"Silence is not the absence of something but the presence of everything." – Gordon Hempton

It’s in those moments of silence that we hear the things that are often drowned out by the noise of our daily lives. I found myself listening more intently to my own thoughts, reflecting on the past year with a sense of gratitude. There’s so much to be thankful for—the moments of joy, the experiences that have shaped me, the people who have touched my life. But stillness also allowed me to face the disappointments, the failures, and the lessons learned. It gave me space to see where I’ve grown, to acknowledge my imperfections, and to understand what truly matters.

"Sometimes the best way to get things done is to simply be still." – Unknown
Be still…..

In the quiet of this holiday, I realized that being still is not about avoiding life’s challenges or escaping responsibility; it’s about being present with yourself. It’s about asking the difficult questions: Are you truly happy? Are you living a life that aligns with your values? Or are you simply chasing after the wind, constantly moving but never really getting anywhere?

As I sat in the silence, I felt a deep sense of peace wash over me. I wasn’t running from my thoughts, my past, or my fears. I was simply being. And that stillness—though uncomfortable at times—was exactly what I needed to find clarity and gratitude in the midst of it all.

In this holiday season, I encourage you to embrace the stillness. In the quiet moments, take a deep breath and listen to your heart. Reflect on what you’re grateful for, and allow yourself the space to grow. Because sometimes, the most important work we can do is the work that happens when we stop running and simply be still.

“Stillness is where creativity and solutions are found.” – Unknown

In those still moments, you may just find what you’ve been searching for all along.

Who is Esther?

•Esther Amunga is a dynamic nonprofit expert, coach, and speaker known for empowering organizations to thrive. Through her consultancy, Esstaaz Company LLC, she partners with nonprofits to create tailored strategies that drive success and sustainability. 

•Esther specializes in fundraising, strategic planning, marketing, grant writing, and entrepreneurial models, and inspires audiences with her insights. Her initiatives, like the Esstaaz African Fashion Accessories initiative empower women in vulnerable African communities. 

•An author of two children’s books, Esther is also a fundraising advisor for the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Board and an active participant in global AFP conferences. 

Passionate about social impact, Esther helps nonprofits transform challenges into opportunities for lasting change.

1 thought on “Embracing Silence and Stillness: A Thanksgiving Reflection”

  1. I always enjoy reading your inspired reflections Esther. Embracing silence is a profound practice, It comes with age and grace to be still and know that He is God. It honors God when we aren’t busy bodies.

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