Silence: the absence of sound. It is uncomfortable. It can be dangerous. How can something so quiet be so loud?

I was listening to the song "Car Radio" by Twenty One Pilots and it hit me how powerful silence can be. This song was inspired when lead singer, Tyler Joseph, had his car radio stolen. He raps about how he now has to deal with his thoughts and what's he's feeling because he can no longer drown them out with music. When you're finally alone with your terrifying thoughts and there is no sound to hide behind, you are forced to deal with what you feel. You are finally alone with your thoughts that you have been pushing away. Your wandering mind can be heard now that it is no longer drowned out by sound.

This song made me realize how much I try to avoid silence. I surround myself with noise, whether it be my favorite Pandora station playing in my headphones or a TV show playing in the background while I'm working on something on my laptop, or jamming out to my car radio on the way to work. I like the company of sound. It's comforting to hear the buzz of noise in your ears. It makes you feel like you're not alone.

We live in a world where silence and solitude are a form of punishment. Children are sent to time-out while felons are sentenced to years in prison. We're left alone with our minds. Our thoughts begin to wander to what we did and the consequences that came along with our choices.

Sometimes silence is necessary. Silence allows for self-reflection. We get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to slow down and just listen to what our own minds have to say. Silence allows our thoughts to run free and finally break through the distractions of life and be heard.

Silence changes everything. Take public speaking for example. A simple pause can change the entire meaning of a poem or speech. It allows a break for the audience to think and process what just happened and it allows for each individual to interpret it differently. The more time allows for more thoughts, which allow for more meaning.

Silence in music is a whole different story. A rest changes the length of notes. It changes the rhythm and the melody. It changes the song as a whole. It also allows for breath, a quick moment to refill your lungs with air so they can deflate again and create something beautiful. This pause creates a quick moment of emptiness.

It's time we embrace this emptiness. It might be trying to tell us something that we need to hear. Listen to it. Don't tune it out this time. It's the sound of silence and it needs to be heard.