Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

Don't you just love Simon and Garfunkel? Ok, maybe you don't love 'em, but I do. As I was driving to the gym today, I chose to drive in total silence. I did it because, in my quest to become self-actualized, I realized that the first thing I do when I get into the car is turn on music.

I put on either the radio or I hook up my iPod and the whole time I'm driving, I'm just a loud, happy, singin' fool! Not that there's anything wrong with that -- although, if you've heard me sing, you might disagree -- but I think that's pretty typical behavior for most people. So I got to thinking about how...

we're  all so inundated with sound all day long. Kids, television, radio, computer games, sirens, others conversation, and it goes on and on and ON. Some people even sleep with background noise. Ack!  So today, I decided to change it up. While driving in blissful, peaceful silence, I found that not only do I have a ticking valve in my engine, but I was able to hear my thoughts and my self-talk really loud and clear.

Which, I suspect might have something to do with why most people never sit in complete silence. What do you think? Do you enjoy the sounds of silence?

Comments

[Jacki Hollywood Brown]

I have tried living in silence before (no music, no iPod etc) but then I realized that I talk to myself SO much that I have to turn on the radio to make myself shut-up.
Perhaps I should start podcasting....hmmm then I could have lots of people telling me to shut-up.

[Monica Ricci]

Jacki, you crack me up! Thanks for the comment!
~Monica

[gayle]

Monica, you are right on the money. Everything is about balance, and having a bit of quiet time is an important part. One's car is an easy place to get it (but don't bliss out too much while driving!)

I find your comment about people's thoughts being a bit too loud for their own comfort to be so true.

And about your valve tap... I once had a mechanic comment that most people just turn up the radio louder when their car makes a noise. Then they wonder why they break down!

[Monica Ricci]

Gayle, thanks for your comment. Having been through a divorce in the early 90s, I do understand NOT wanting to me alone in the quiet with oneself.
~Monica

[Diana]

Ooh...I have either the TV or my ipod on all day long. I may have to try silence once in a while. I'm sure it wouldn't kill me, and maybe I will learn something new about myself!

[Monica Ricci]

Diana, be careful you might need earplugs once you sit in silence with your own head! :)
~Monica

[Mary Brown]

When I was living on the east coast with its endless noise I craved quiet. I would travel to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. It was wonderful being away from not only the sounds you notice, but all of the sounds that you don't.
Until you find a really quiet place you have no idea of how much background noise you live with every second of the day (electrical and motor humming sounds, heavy machinery, traffic noises, dogs barking, babies crying, etc.) and for me all of this noise really dragged me down and made me exhausted (sensory overload).
Spending time at a cabin in the wilderness was so refreshing and healing. I'll take the sounds of birds and running rivers over the sounds of the rat race anyday.