How often do we find ourselves scrolling through our phones checking out what’s new on Facebook? How many families spend their time together plopped down in front of the TV for hours? What about seeing the latest additions to someone’s story on Snapchat? It is true that social networks and social media are great for keeping in contact with someone you wouldn’t see on a normal day-to-day basis, but how much of that contact stems from the desire to avoid feeling lonely? Wherever one goes, it seems that one can look out and see a sea of people just staring at their phones, constantly plugged into the noise that radiates from our phones and other electronic devices. The noise comes from every direction; we are constantly being bombarded by the latest news and trends. We have grown so accustomed to the noise of technology that when it is gone, we go looking for it again and again.

Most people, when alone and sitting in silence, put on the radio, some music or anything to distract them from the haunting silence. Why is the silence so terrifying? What do we find in the silence except our own thoughts? There is a reality in our thoughts that we do not want to face. Reality is so terrible that we would rather hide behind our iPhones, computers and TV screens than go out and face it. Technology has its benefits, but most of the time it is used as an escape for people. There is always a place our thoughts wander to and constantly take us in the direction of, whether it is towards a recent tragedy or just something that was happened to you at work today. However, we would rather turn on some music and block everything out.

In the moments of silence, we encounter none other than our own self. The self that has been stifled by the noise of the world. Silence helps one know himself more fully and become more aware of himself. While looking within ourselves for a quiet moment, we can discover a lot about what is hidden beneath. There are wounds and scars that people do not want to deal with and only use the distractions to suppress their unhappiness even further. So easily can this quote from Pascal, a philosopher from 400 years ago, be applied to today, “What people want is not the easy peaceful life that allows us to think about our unhappy condition . . . but the agitation that takes our minds off it and diverts us.” Silence is useful to gain an awareness of one’s self, to further strengthen his self through the obstacles of life. Take one minute out of your day to turn off the radio and TV, take out those ear buds for a moment and just reflect on your day, on your state of living. Ask some questions that require some thought. Do not be afraid of the silence, but use it to your advantage. As they say, silence is golden.