Silence is Golden

Photo credit: B.Romain; Flickr.com

This quote hit me because I had to think about it for a moment longer than usual. Oddly enough, this quote is only 6 words. This artist, by the way, uses some really nice quotes and takes AMAZING pictures, so if you fancy that, I suggest going over his way.

"Listen to the sound of silence."

So honestly, how many of you really take joy in silence?  Not many people appreciate it.  We're always moving so fast, doing so many things, it's like nobody has any time to just STOP.  This week has been a wonderful relief for me because I haven't had as much work as I have in the last few weeks, even though I am anticipating the workload for next week.  

This quote brings me back to the times when you have a severe storm and the power goes out.  Does anyone else notice how quiet it is?  You don't even hear the fridge making noises. Everything is just so silent, so still. It's beautiful. It's almost unnerving because we're not used to it at all.  Even in class, if it's ridiculously quiet for some reason, it just doesn't feel right.

Most people tend to feel uncomfortable, but on the contrary, I feel like if you can sit with someone else and be completely silent without it being a problem, then you might just be comfortable with that person.  Why don't we ever just take a minute to relax, breathe, and listen to silence?  Why do we need to have our phones ringing and the annoying instant messenger sounds on the computer blaring every second of every day?

I quite enjoy silence sometimes.  I also enjoy listening to music, but every so often comes a time when even music needs to be turned off to just sit and think.  I find when I'm studying and doing important things, music doesn't help, I need complete silence.  Has silence really lost it's value in our world?

I sure hope not.

The picture was an interesting choice as well; using a Logitech speaker to drive home the point that we really are just completely hooked up at all times.  Speakers make strange noises when you turn them on, but you never notice it until you turn them completely off.  A lot of things are like that.  My challenge? Take 5 minutes to turn off EVERYTHING.  All power in your dorm room or wherever, if you can, and just sit and enjoy it.  Relax in it, relish in it.  It will be the most refreshing moments of your life, I promise.