SOUNDS OF SILENCE
September 1, 2024
As I look back over my life, I think about all the times that I spent alone in dead silence, both as a kid and adult, just thinking about things or working alone with my hands. I have found my routine silent moments have helped me become who I am, forever growing and learning. I hope and pray that our young people understand the power and blessing of silence. Since you are reading this, I’ll candidly share with you as one friend to another.
Finding silence is easy for me! I am blessed that I don’t find it difficult to turn off my computer, television, radio or any other distraction. I don’t allow email or texts to infiltrate my life. However, I keep my vintage flip phone on all the time in case there is an emergency and someone needs to talk with me. On a lighthearted personal note, as a teenager, I snuggled with many dance partners to the songs, “Silence is Golden” and “The Sounds of Silence.” Lots of good passionate memories!
Some say that silence can enhance your creativity, focus, self-control, self-awareness and spirituality. My friend and mentor, Colleen Barrett at Southwest Airlines, said “Follow the ‘Golden Rule,’ learn from your mistakes and listen to your heart.” Her wisdom is part of my daily self-analysis. As a husband, father, mentor and self-appointed shepherd of our organization, I routinely start my day by sitting alone and reading my Bible, seeking wisdom and direction. I think about those in the Bible who sought a quiet place to be alone to seek wisdom, guidance and give thanks for their blessings, especially during extreme challenges. I am constantly questioning myself, asking if I am demonstrating the principles and values we at King Aerospace profess in service to God, Country and Family.
No matter where you are in life, or what season you are facing at home, school, work or in your community, a good question to think about is, “Am I truly attempting to serve those I encounter?”
It’s in these quiet moments that we can reexamine our thoughts, feelings and situations. It’s in these moments that we can course-correct the areas we want or need to change. It’s an opportunity to honestly see where we are, how we got there, where we want to be and how we plan to get there. Understanding ourselves and our purpose in life is critical to each of us and those around us. Our thinking in each season of life changes and it’s healthy to understand where we find ourselves and those around us. My prayer is that you make time to find your “sounds of silence” with God’s favor!
Note that I was only visiting the Mt. Vernon, Texas jail, which has been closed for many years. I am learning about the history of old Texas jails, hoosegows and calabooses!
SOME SONGS THAT I THINK OF IN THESE QUIET TIMES:
Amazing Grace Just As I Am, Without One Plea
Lift High the Cross Consider and Hear Me
My Faith Looks Up To Thee The Lord’s Prayer
The Old Rugged Cross Onward Christian Soldiers
How Great Thou Art Rock of Ages
I Am the Bread of Life Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Fairest Lord Jesus Faith of Our Fathers
This is My Father’s World Rock of Ages Cleft for Me
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Take My Life, and Let it Be
My Country, ‘Tis of Thee America the Beautiful
The National Anthem
SOME THOUGHTS THAT I THINK ABOUT IN THESE QUIET TIMES:
23rd PSALM: Yea though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me……………
DON’T QUIT POEM
When things go wrong as the sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
and you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar,
So, stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when thing go wrong that you mustn’t quit.
Matthew 25: 23: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Dark moments are blessings that provide me with the challenge and opportunity to demonstrate to myself, my maker and those I influence that I live what I profess, by the grace of God. This is my opportunity to pass my faith on to those I encounter.
In my heart of hearts, I know that God is with me as I walk through valleys and I have faith that there will be unexpected sunshine on God’s time, not mine.
My challenges and blessings allow me to demonstrate that the word becomes flesh through me in all seasons of my life.
I often ask myself if what I am doing will matter in 100 years. My mission is service to God, Country and Family and this thought process causes me to focus on my mission and direct my actions.
Gaining forty-five years of experience as an entrepreneur in a privately owned and operated business that has had countless competitors disappear in a market where we compete against publicly traded companies with much greater resources is not easy. What makes King Aerospace different is ownership’s commitment to God, Country and Family and our values and principles. This is a self-inflicted limitation that guides our daily actions.
STOP AND THINK FROM COLLEEN BARRETT:
Am I demonstrating patience, kindness, generosity, courtesy, humility, unselfishness, good temper, guilelessness and sincerity? If you think you are a servant leader, you must be committed to living out these components in all aspects of your day-to-day choices.
Written by KING AEROSPACE Founder, Jerry Allan King-Echevarria.