Whatever Happened to Silence?

Silence is no more. It has gone missing. The saying "silence is golden" has no meaning anymore. Not even in the library. When was the last time you heard silence? Yes, you can hear it. It's the sound of nothing.

What is the definition of silence? Silence is the absence of speech and/or the absence of sound. Silence was once a time to be alone with your thoughts, a time for personal reflection or a time to relax and free your mind of distractions. Yet today, the sound of silence is elusive.

Emmy-award-winning sound recordist Gordon Hempton placed a small red rock on a moss-covered log in Olympic National Park as a sanctuary of silence he wants to defend against all comers. He claims that uninterrupted natural quiet is so rare that many people under the age of 30 have never heard it.

Today we are bombarded with noise everywhere we go. We spend most of our day rushing, talking, obsessing, and being enveloped by noise. It does not matter where you are. When you visit the doctor, the waiting rooms now have TVs blaring and people on cell phones talking about nothing important. No more sitting quietly in the doctors office reading a magazine as you wait for your name to be called.

The library was the last sacred place of silence. However, silence has disappeared from there as well. You will hear people talking to one another, on their cell phones, or listening to music. You can't go there to study anymore because you won't be able to concentrate with all the noise and distractions.

Studies have linked unwanted noise to increased levels of stress. No surprise there. To avoid this set aside time everyday for silence. Do not be afraid of it. Turn off the phones, TV, computer, music and most of all turn off your mouth! No talking. You can think but do not talk. Moments of silence are a gift to be treasured.

How can you work silence into your day? Start your day with silence. Take a few minutes before you start your hectic day to stretch, meditate, or just enjoy your coffee on the porch quietly reading the paper. But for heavens sake don't start the day by turning on the TV or radio. If you can't fit that into your morning routine then try driving to work in silence. Do not turn on the radio.

That elusive corner of silence is hard to find sometimes, but it is needed. Spending time in silence requires being comfortable with yourself. There is a time for silence. Embrace it. Let there be silence.