That goes double when I’m on hold and the constant recorded messages keep me from being able to concentrate on my writing while I wait. What I really hate is the noise provided to “entertain” us in waiting rooms and other public places where I’d like to be able to read in peace. Having everyone so close together really increases the noise level. We had to temporarily move to Paso Robles behind Walmart for health reasons a year ago, and then I really appreciated how quiet it had been in Templeton. I also enjoy the owl and cricket music that calms me as I lie in bed. But there are many quiet times in the early evening when I’ve been working in the garden to only the sound of birdsong or a breeze blowing the leaves of the surrounding trees - nature noises, which I find relaxing. There is music from winery events, machinery noises, barking dogs and coyotes, and vehicle noise from the highway. Although I usually live on 14 acres in the midst of 46 West wine country, its not free of noise. Make its presence a habit in your life-both in small ways and in big ways. It must be intentionally pursued by each of us.īut for it to be pursued, it must first be valued and desired.īe reminded of the importance of silence and solitude. While anyone can experience silence at any time by finding a quiet place to sit for an extended period of time, I have found solitude does not occur naturally in our noise-centered world. We become better equipped to show patience and love to others.We break the cycle of busyness in our lives.We reflect on our past and chart our future.We remove the expectation and influence of others.The benefits of silence and solitude in a noisy world are significant and life-giving. Because only in extended periods of solitude, can we rediscover our hearts and the voice of timeless wisdom in our lives. Meanwhile, silence quietly calls for our attention. Political pundits from every aisle and experts from every imaginable field speak boldly about how we should proceed on the most important issues of our time. Countless artists fill canvases, screens, and printed paper hoping to convince us of their worldview and beliefs. It is no secret we are bombarded everyday with countless messages.Īdvertisements from every flat surface and frequency tell us what to watch, where to go, and what to purchase. My family even pokes fun at me when I mute the television during commercials-as if the idea of sitting in quiet for 2 minutes is too long.īut in a world filled with noise, silence becomes even more important. And I remember being on countless dates growing up where any lapse in the conversation meant the entire relationship was doomed forever. We fear that brief moment when we meet someone new and aren’t quite sure what to say. We speak of “awkward silences” in a room full of people. It seems we have become uncomfortable with the very presence of silence in our lives. Even when waiting in elevators or on hold with customer service, sound fills the void. When we exercise, we put on our headphones. In our homes, we turn on our televisions. I was reminded again how silence has become a difficult atmosphere in our society. And both of us stared silently out the windshield in disgust.Īfter a few short minutes, one little voice called out from the backseat, “Umm, are you guys ever going to talk again?” The silence had become unbearable. But in the moment, our conversation abruptly ended. The problem would ultimately be fixed with a little extra time and money. As a result, neither of us had accomplished the task. Kim and I both assumed the other person was going to make the necessary arrangements. As we pulled out of our neighborhood and merged onto the four lane highway, we suddenly realized an important detail for the trip had been left undone. A few months ago, my wife and I took our kids on a short weekend trip to the mountains.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |