If you’re anything like me, silence can be deafening.

I remember as a child going to meditation camps and struggling so hard with the daily routine of zoning out, finding our Zen and just being – quiet. I have always battled with the concept of stillness and quietness. In reflection, I found/find silence to be empty in some way. A feeling of isolation perhaps and freedom for my mind to wander more than usual which definitely at times can be detrimental.

You have a moment to be still, to stop and reflect, recharge or just be. The music is not playing, the television is off, you’re home alone or the kids are sleeping, at school, entertaining themselves and all is quiet – but it’s not.

You can hear the windchime’s melody; the traffic in the distance; the train pulling into the station which is kilometres away; the neighbours garage door opening/closing as they leave or come home for the day; the clock aguishly ticking or the monotone sound of that tap dripping.

Depending on the time of day if all is “quiet” you could hear those around you leaving for work and the sound of the car engine running as it warms up;  the shower running as loved ones or roomies prepare for their day; the school bell ringing its tune hustling the children to class; buses pulling in and out of their stops collecting passengers to or from work; the sound of an email being received on the computer or phone; the motorbike idling as the postman delivers the mail.

The twittering of a minor bird or the screeching of a cockatoo; helicopters hovering over nearby motorways monitoring the traffic flow; the laughter and screams of delighted kids coming home after school; the cat meowing to come in for her nightly feed; the neighbouring dogs chatting through a bark; the clinking of dishes in ready for the evening meal; the waves and chime tones sonorously through the phone’s speaker to help you sleep.

We are surrounded by noise and there is no escaping that fact. It’s how we choose to deal with that noise if at all. There are many who wouldn’t put any thought into the sounds that surround them. Then there are those who are like me and have struggled with the quiet.  We need to learn to embrace the silence.

When thinking about it, we are never truly alone as we will always be accompanied by sound. As I continue on my transformation path (it’s lifelong), and while I continue to learn, change and reflect, I am learning to appreciate the little things. This is something I want to teach my son, that being still and listening to what is around you could in fact have the answers you need. With the stress of exams, study, learning life’s lessons, having silence can be a great thing for him – for all of us!

“Silence isn’t empty. It’s full of answers”.

Love, light & snuggles 🙂