Sounds of Silence

Silence is a good thing. We need to turn off the static of the world and just chill for awhile. It would be in our best interest to turn off the TV every so often. Maybe even leave the car radio off on the drive home from work. I believe silence really is golden.

I like silence. I like it a lot. Mostly, the silence away from people noises, like cars, mowers, machinery, and, yes, talking.

I love listening to birds, frogs, and cicadas, and a field of corn rustling in the wind. The chatter of squirrels. The crackling of a bonfire. Water rushing over a falls, or waves breaking across a rocky shore. All sounds I’ll never tire of.

I remember as a young girl I‘d sleep with my window open whenever I could, and I’d listen to the night sounds. From the east, I could hear the harbor sounds on Lake Michigan, of ships and fog horns. From the west, I’d hear the rhythm of a distant train. I’m fortunate I can hear trains where I live now too, but I sure do miss the sound of the harbor. Some sounds are peaceful to me and I consider them to be a part of silence. Often that’s where I do my best dreaming.

Other times silence may not be so good. Silence between friends or family can mean any number of things. Silence on the other end of the line usually isn’t a good sign. Neither are unanswered questions. Reading between the lines is troubling and taxing on the heart. Here, silence isn’t golden at all.

Then there’s social media. I haven’t been on social media for about three years now. Even as I would read controversial posts, the comments filled with rantings and raging, were as loud and disturbing as the constant revving of a car engine, or of a fire alarm that won’t shut off, or even of rap music turned up on high volume. So silence, for me, would also include staying away from controversy in social media, newspapers, news stations, magazines, etc. Anything that excites my mind in a disruptive way, and makes my body feel like a beehive, is noise to my soul.

While I enjoy associating with people, I like to return to my quiet place. Preferably, sooner than later. I need to refill my bucket for my next social interaction. That’s the introvert in me. But I also believe you can be with someone and enjoy silence together. Holding hands quietly speaks volumes. That is a wonderful kind of silence.

I hope you find a quiet place today. Use the time to unwind, to reflect, and to dream. I think even extroverts benefit from quiet times. I think I am an introvert with a touch of “extrovert-wanna-be”. But I embrace the introvert in me. And I appreciate silence.

Be grateful for quiet times. ♥️

Andi