We live in a very loud world. Everywhere you look there are roaring cars, yelling people, hyperactive pets, and every piece of technology seems to have its' own special noise. And in case the noise isn't enough, nothing ever seems to stop moving. Those cars are always speeding away. Those people are probably late for something. Who knows what the pets are up to, but they sure aren't sitting still. And technology always seems to be full of flashing lights, racing images, etc. Individually, are these things so bad? No. But put them all together and is it any wonder we're so tired all the time?
I have ADD as well as an anxiety disorder. Because of my ADD, I find it really hard to sit in silence sometimes. If I'm not being stimulated in some way, I get stressed out because I feel like I'm not being productive and precious seconds are slipping away, wasted. This is a good thing because it keeps me from being idle. But because of my anxiety, taking a few moments of quiet every day is absolutely necessary.
Overstimulation induces anxiety. In my case, and perhaps for others as well, understimulation also induces anxiety. However, a weird thing happens when I take the risk and turn off the tv, computer, or music that's keeping up a constant buzz in the background. It starts off as very stressful. Why aren't I doing something? I need to get moving! Something bad will happen if I don't, I know it will! But then, it starts to fade, my heart rate starts to steady, and finally, I can feel my body relax and I know I'm resting for the first time in who knows how long.
Once, on my way home from work, I turned off my radio because all my presets had gone to commercial, and I was only five minutes away anyway. As I drove that last little stretch. I realized that the houses I was driving past all had vibrant trees growing in their front yard. They were big and healthy and colored like autumn, like a frozen firework display meant just for me. These trees were always there, but I never really looked at them until I'd turned off my radio. I was too busy listening to the music before.
Peace and quiet can be really hard to find in this world. Some of us are too busy to take the time for it. Some of us have kids that need tending and let's face it, they're never quiet. And some of us are like me and are just a little afraid of silence. But even so, I think taking the chance to find a little bit every day can do us a lot of good. When it's silent, our senses aren't being blocked by the barrage of everyday chatter and mayhem. Instead, we're free to notice the little beauties that may be slipped past before.
I'm not suggesting that we all need to take up yoga or meditation or some other sort of relaxation treatment, I'm only suggesting that we not forget the power of silence. I've grown up as a very quiet person. I was always the shy kid in school, I never talked to students or teachers if I could help it, so I spent most of my time listening to what was happening around me (this wasn't eavesdropping. My classmates were just really loud). You learn things when you listen that you can't get anywhere else. I learned that all the obnoxious students I had a class with were also soft spoken when someone was sad. I learned that the school jock maybe been a hopeless flirt, but he was also fiercely loyal to his friends. Most importantly, I learned people really weren't so bad once you got to know them.
Being quiet and enjoying silence - these are simple peace bringers in moments of distress. Listening before you speak, taking a breath before you act - can you just imagine how much heartache that could spare you? Freeing yourself from stimulation for just a moment and letting your body really rest - don't you think it would help to heal your spirit? Silence is hard to find. It really is. But when it is found, and we wrap ourselves inside it, I think it can be our saving grace.
