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The Quiet Time

posted on February 27, 2010

In today’s world finding true quiet is damn near impossible.

Even as I sit here in my living room with my feet up on the coffee table, laptop typing away it still isn’t really quiet. I can hear the wind blowing against the chimney and the chatter of the kids out in my office watching TV. But, there is little else and for that I am thankful.

The Quiet TimeI love moments like this. They are few and far between, but I try to make sure to take a least a little bit of this every day. Some time when my mind can really wander (and wonder). I don’t think enough people go looking for quiet often enough. With the constant barrage of media from every direction and device it is harder then ever and probably more important then ever.

As I write this, I’ve got to wonder if it is even possible to find true quiet in the world today. I think the closest I’ve been was when Dad and I went to the Boundary Waters. Sitting there just looking out over the water, not saying a word, I think THAT was about as quiet as I’ve ever experienced. Talk about the perfect place to idle well and let your mind wander in every direction imaginable.

Quiet for me equals reflection. The relaxed setting allows the mind to work. To churn through the things it needs to and perhaps come up with some new things that have been hidden in the corners.

Does quiet help you guys in that way? Or am I just a sleep deprived and under caffeinated this morning?

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Categories: Rambles
  • http://ianmrountree.com Ian M Rountree

    I think even the most outgoing, people-oriented person still needs some time just for themselves. Reflection, a few real moments of no-tasks-just-calm can be a great boon. And finding them in the middle of such noisy surroundings can be a wonderful thing.

    But coffee might be a good idea too. Eventually.

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      Oh there is a cup of coffee right here with me during THIS quiet time! :)

  • http://twitter.com/chriscavs Chris Cavs

    I am constantly on a search for quiet. I moved to Maine for that very reason. When I realized that I craved quiet, I was in Arizona, hiking while my brother rode his mountain bike. I was all alone in the mountains outside Flagstaff. I wrote down my thoughts later. If you're interested, you can read them here: http://www.parttimevagabond.com/2009/08/the-fee…

  • http://blog.andrewweir.co.uk/ Andy Weir

    Silence is so often undervalued.

    A couple of things sparked in my head as I read this.

    Yesterday, I put my daughter for a nap (she's just two next week) and felt the world stop as a friend and I sat in the resulting silence! My friend noted it's the first time in a long time that he's experienced real quiet.

    We're always on, always connected, always mediated, always moving. And that's so often a good thing. But there's nothing like silence.

    I think there's tremendous value is enjoying silence and quietening your mind. Of letting your mind rest too.

    You shared about that experience with your Dad and I loved that. There's something about being able to enjoy someone's company without *having* to say anything. That can speak a lot about the strength of your relationship!

    Anyway, thanks for reminding me to value the quiet.

    Peace!

    W

  • JenZingsheim

    Quiet time is a necessity for me. I wonder sometimes about people who insist on filling every moment with some noise: talking on the phone if they are in the car alone, turning the TV on just to have noise in the house, etc. To me, it seems as though they don't trust themselves with their own thoughts. I actually really value my commute for the time it allows me to sit in silence (if I choose to, even if I am more inclined to listen to NPR!)

    My husband and I periodically visit a friend's cabin up in the north woods of New Hampshire. No TV, no phone, etc. It's wonderful, and a great time to really enjoy the silence.

  • JenZingsheim

    Quiet time is a necessity for me. I wonder sometimes about people who insist on filling every moment with some noise: talking on the phone if they are in the car alone, turning the TV on just to have noise in the house, etc. To me, it seems as though they don't trust themselves with their own thoughts. I actually really value my commute for the time it allows me to sit in silence (if I choose to, even if I am more inclined to listen to NPR!)

    My husband and I periodically visit a friend's cabin up in the north woods of New Hampshire. No TV, no phone, etc. It's wonderful, and a great time to really enjoy the silence.