Why people can't stand to just be quiet anymore? Everywhere I go, people are attached to either I-pods or cell phones or some variation thereof.
I know I'm getting old compared to the rest of you, but sometimes I like to turn everything off. Walking my dog and listening to nothing in particular, or driving in the car with the radio off, or sitting at home reading or cross-stitching with no TV or anything makes me happy and peaceful. I do my best thinking at those times.
Why does everyone need noise all the time?
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I find all the noise sort of annoying. Yet, I'm semi-addicted to my cell phone, which I carry around and feel like my kids, or office, or whoever can reach me if I'm needed. That lets me relax and not worry that something is happening or I should be doing something. Does this make sense? I'm starting to wonder.
Anyway, although it releases me, somewhat, to have my cell phone, I would never jabber on it in a restaurant, or while walking through the woods. It's not these devices themselves, which wreck silence, it's dummies who don't use judgment as to when to use them.
I was just thinking about that, today. On our year-long bus trip, our TV and stereo didn't work for months at a time. In Alaska, we had no cell phone service. It was quite difficult to get used to not having all the noise we've gotten so used to. Once back home, we've tried to continue the quiet as much as possible, but it remains a constant temptation.
Good for you, Leah. We have quiet time in our house every day, for at least an hour and a half and sometimes two. No cell phones, no TV, no computer or anything else. If possible the windows are open and we can hear the birds and the little stream that runs through our property. I swear it makes a difference in mental health and it certainly makes a difference in our communicatons and connections as a family. I feel good about teaching our sons to think, talk, and just BE with others every day instead of having to DO electronic things all the time.
Robin,
I carry the phone around too, but only use it for brief conversations. And I try to be considerate of others and don't use it in restaurants, etc unless it's an emergency. I never take it when I go for my walks. I try to remember that my mother didn't have a cell phone and somehow I made it through my childhood alive.
Doreen,
Temptation is everywhere. For me the worst is the TV. I love HGTV and the Food Network. It's a constant battle to not it on.
Polly,
My name isn't Leah. And good for you for teaching your sons they don't have to have constant outside noise to be entertained.
Hi . . .
My iPod is on most of the day--everything from Beethoven's 9th to Green Day. I love classical and jazz, and feel like music is such a gift. That my daughter is a classical violinist . . . and thus we always had music in the house when she lived at home . . . I guess maybe that's part of it.
But I don't need TV to fall asleep or for "company." I don't ever answer the phone. I don't like the sounds of traffic or crowds. I like peaceful quiet walks. But music . . . I guess I just love it much of the time.
E
As I type this with my windows opened, I've been listening for 10 minutes to someone's leaf blower clearing their lawn clippings from a driveway. Whatever happened to a broom? I find noise everywhere now, tv's blaring in the grocery checkout line, music blaring in dept stores, car horns beeping every time they're locked. Quiet sadly seems to be a thing of the past.
Oh Lordy, sorry for calling you Leah. I was commenting on a bunch of blogs in a row and got you confused with one of my other Blogger friends. Of course I do know your real name but I'm careful to not to use it here because I never see you use it and I don't want to say it unless you do. Anyhoo, I like the point you made in response to Robin. We tend to forget that we never had these devices twenty years ago and that somehow we managed without them.
I'm with Erica.
I grew up in a household of music. My two oldest siblings played piano. One of them wrote music and could play by ear. I don't need the TV, but I love my iPod when I'm doing some menial task.
cmr
i so agree. it's crazy. it's scary. i'm convinced that people will opt to have a chip put in their brain so they can talk on the phone and listen to music ALL THE TIME!
i'm not old, and i don't have an ipod or carry a cell phone. i'm rethinking the latter--but i still won't talk on it unless called. blech.
You're not getting old - or if you are quite a few of us are too. The constant assault on the ear drives me nuts.
People seem to have a problem when I switch off the cell phone. They think that in this age of mobile communication you're supposed to be available 24/7.
When my niece overnights I have to unplug her from the iPod that continues screaming into her ears while she's asleep.
When my son was growing up I refused to have a TV in the house. I never regretted it. I think people have gone crazy with the need for constant inane stimulation. It can't be healthy.
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