“Your prompt for January 21st, 2018, brought to you by the wonderful and talented Willow, is “Silence.” Use it any way you’d like in your post. And make sure you visit Willow at her blog, “Willowdot21” to read her post and say hi! Here’s her link:  https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/” (https://lindaghill.com/2018/01/21/jusjojan-daily-prompt-january-21st-2018/)  These Jots are not only my 500-words a day challenge, but also part of my  Ultimate Blogging Challenge challenge (http://ultimateblogchallenge.com).

Silence

Sound of Silence.  Silence of the Lambs.  Silent Running.  Silent Night.  Run Silent Run Deep.  Vow of Silence. All Quiet on the Western Front (ok, I cheated there…)

I was trying to think about what I wanted to say about silence today, thinking that it was ironic I was going to “talk” about silence, although I am not saying this out loud.  However, I am not saying it in silence as I hear the tappity tappity of the keyboard as I type merrily along with three fingers (and my thumb for the space bar).  Maybe a bit of random stream of consciousness would be ok here.  So, here goes.

I went to the symphony today with mom.  Now, just so you know, while I do like going to the concerts, having been an orchestral musician for many years. Sometimes I feel a bit jaded when trying to enjoy the concerts.  When I don’t enjoy the music, I keep silent as other around me are usually enjoying it.  I get frustrated with people when they don’t keep silent while I (and others) are trying to listen to the music.  I don’t understand why people think it’s ok to talk during a concert, or during a movie.  Please, be silent.  I know there is music playing, but people want to listen to it.  So, yes, I realize that a symphony concert is not itself, silent.  But people have to learn to be silent so everyone in the audience can hear and enjoy the music.

I like silence at home.  In the morning when I get up, I sit in silence with my coffee and my bagel as I read blogs and do some writing.  Sometimes when I come home from work, I do the same, minus the bagel.  Other times I don’t like silence.  Like when I run or exercise.  I need music as it keeps me motivated, and also keeps my mind off the fact that I am running or exercising.  And then there is, of course, when I meditate.  I usually meditate with a guided meditation, but I like the silences built into the meditation.  Of course, my mind likes to fill the silence with its own thoughts, but that’s another issue.

I don’t like silence when I am eating either.  Although, there is nothing more annoying than really loud music in a restaurant (well, there are a lot of annoying things out there, but this is one of things I get really annoyed with that relates to this topic of silence).  I mean, I want to talk to whomever I am with, not have to yell.  So, a little background music is good, yes.  I don’t need to listen to the sound of me chewing.  But let’s be reasonable about it!

I think it is interesting, though, that there is very seldom real silence around me.  In fact, if there is, it can feel quite uncomfortable.  I prefer a little something that I can just block out.  What would you call that?  Pseudo-Silence?  😊