How to Experience God in Everyday Life

The Noise That Never Stops

You know that voice in your head that just won’t shut up? Yep, me too.

For years, mine was relentless. It nagged me about tasks I hadn’t completed, replayed every cringe-worthy moment from my past like an endless loop, and spun-out worst-case scenarios about the future that never even happened. Honestly, my brain felt like a hamster on an espresso binge—constantly moving, never resting.

The toll wasn’t just mental—it was emotional. The constant chatter left me anxious, second-guessing every decision, and doubting my own worth. I felt like I was never enough, never caught up, never calm. Even simple pleasures became shadows of stress, because my mind was always somewhere else—worrying, criticizing, comparing, planning.

And worst of all, the noise disconnected me from God. It pulled me out of the ordinary, sacred moments where God’s presence quietly lives—like sipping my morning coffee, walking the dog, or laughing with a friend. Those moments, which could have felt full and nourishing, instead became just another task to rush through, another opportunity for my mind to spiral.

I knew something had to change. I needed to find a way to quiet the noise, reclaim my attention, and reconnect with the stillness where God and life’s deeper meaning reside. Because only when the chatter settles can we notice the life that’s happening right in front of us—and the presence of God that’s always been waiting there all along.

Why the Noise Hurts More Than We Think

When we’re stuck on mental spin cycle, we miss the deeper joy of life. The constant chatter creates anxiety, drains our energy, and keeps us spiritually restless. Add Instagram, Facebook, doom-scrolling, and 24/7 news alerts, and our peace gets chewed up by noise monsters demanding our attention.

And yet—underneath it all—we’re still hungry. Hungry to live from the inside out instead of letting the outside world batter us. Hungry to be rooted in God and at home in our own hearts.

My Wake-Up Call

In the midst of all that inner noise, a mentor pointed me toward the contemplative path. He explained it was an ancient way of living with God at the center—rooted in daily silence, meditation, and awareness of the Divine presence. It wasn’t about withdrawing from the world, but about learning to meet God in the ordinary rhythms of life—while driving the car, washing the dishes, or folding a load of laundry.

Stepping onto that path was like crossing a threshold into my true home—a place where my restless soul could finally rest and belong. The fire that had been smoldering inside me suddenly had a name, a language, a way of life.
That homecoming reshaped my purpose and set me on a new journey. I left my career as a lawyer, trained as a spiritual director, earned a master’s in pastoral counseling, and began walking alongside others who also yearned to encounter God in the everyday. It has become the most life-giving adventure I could have imagined.

And here’s the simple truth I learned: there is a way to quiet the mind and experience God in everyday life. The path isn’t complicated—it can be found in a few simple, life-giving practices that help anchor our hearts and bring God’s presence into the ordinary.

Rediscovering an Ancient Path

That hunger we all feel doesn’t have to go unanswered. The contemplative path is not another app or self-help hack—it’s an ancient way of living with God at the center, modeled by Jesus, preserved by the saints, and practiced throughout history by everyday people like you and me.

I call it divineFlow—a contemplative lifestyle that quiets the mind, awakens the heart, and helps you experience God in the ordinary.

At its heart, divineFlow is anchored in four simple practices, or what I like to call the Four Pillars of Wholeness:

1. Quiet Time – a daily pause; even two minutes of silence can reset your soul.
2. Spiritual Reading – feeding your mind and heart with wisdom instead of endless scrolling.
3. Community – journeying with people who listen, laugh, and inspire your inner growth.
4. Spiritual Gifts – discovering and sharing your God-given talents to pour more love into the world.

When practiced together, these pillars gently quiet the mental chatter, awaken the heart, and make God’s presence in everyday life tangible. Real.

Try This for Yourself

I was so excited about what I learned, I wrote a book: Finding Flow: Spiritual Practices to Reclaim Inner Peace, Balance, and Wholeness. It’s filled with stories, reflections, and exercises to help you step more fully into the flow. Think of it as a roadmap for your journey with God.

And because I want you to taste this for yourself, here’s a simple two-minute practice to get you started today:

1. Find a quiet spot.
2. Set a timer for 2 minutes.
3. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths.
4. Whisper this prayer: “God, I’m here. You’re here. That is enough.”
5. When your mind wanders (and it will), gently return to your breath and the prayer.

Two minutes. A pause. A reset. That’s your doorway into divineFlow.

Your Next Step

? Try the two-minute practice today.
? Notice how your heart shifts, even just a little.
? Then, if you’re ready to dive deeper, grab a copy of Finding Flow — now available in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook formats.

You can find it here:

• Paperback
• Kindle
• Audiobook

You don’t have to live stuck in the noise. Step into divineFlow. Quiet your mind. Awaken your heart. And experience God in your everyday life.

Stay Tuned

Next week, we’ll dive into the first pillar of divineFlow: Daily Quiet Time—what it is, why it matters, and some fun, practical ways to give your noisy mind a rest so you can experience more inner peace.

—brian j plachta
brianplachta.com