I'm Emily P. Freeman and welcome to The Next Right Thing. You're listening to episode

376. This is a podcast about making decisions, but also about making a life. If you struggle

with decision fatigue, chronic hesitation, or if you just need a few minutes away from the

constant stream of information and the sometimes delightful but distracting hum of entertainment, you're in the right place for discerning your next right thing.

I'm an author, a spiritual director, and an occasional workshop leader.

I live in North Carolina with my family, and through my work, I've helped thousands of spiritually thoughtful people

overcome decision fatigue so that they can discern their next right thing in faith, work,

and life. If you, like me, since some parts of your life, inner or outer, are feeling a bit

over-bedazzled, or if you're looking for words to explain it all or to figure it out,

maybe try looking for the quiet you've been avoiding.

Listen in.

It was a regular day the first time I put on noise-canceling headphones.

They had a few samples on display connected to retractable cords at Target or wherever I was,

and I pulled a pair up, placed them over my ears, and turned the noise cancellation to its

highest level. In an instant, the low cancellation to its highest level.

In an instant, the low hum of shoppers stopped, dropping me into this silent feather

pillow world, my whole head immersed into quiet relief.

I literally could not believe my ears.

I kept taking them off and putting them back on, thinking that

everyone in the store had just simultaneously stopped talking and stopped shopping at the exact

same time because I couldn't believe this clearly, y'all, I did not, I had not had noise

canceling headphones before this moment. I could not believe it was possible that we have progressed to a place

...