Essay

Checking Into our Internal Devices

by Mary Andres Russell

Do you ever interrupt other people while they are talking? Do you ever try to complete their sentences? Ugghh. I am sometimes guilty and have come to realize how irritating it can be.

I have been told that when we ask someone a question, we should give them seven seconds to answer. Time that out. 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… 7… It can feel like an eternity. But that seven seconds allows a person to gather their thoughts, check their hearts, and remember details. It is excellent practice in Patience and lets others know that we care enough to listen.

In 2024, the average person checked their cell phone 205 times a day. According to ITC.ua, that is equivalent to once every five minutes. For many, checking their phone is the first thing they do when they wake up and the last thing they do before going to bed.

What if in addition to checking our external devices, we take the time to check our internal guidance — our hearts and the quiet voice within. It looks and sounds like this: What am I being guided to do today? What are my instincts telling me about this situation? What is the right thing to do? What is the quality of my thoughts today?

While we are waiting in line for coffee or at the grocery, instead of checking our cell phone one more time, we can check into our being. Doing so slows us down and helps us make better choices. Now that is good practice in patience.