“have you ever heard the wonderful silence just before the dawn? or the quiet and calm just as a storm ends? or perhaps you know the silence when you haven’t the answer to a question you’ve been asked, or the hush of a country road at night, or the expectant pause of a room full of people when someone is just about to speak, or, most beautiful of all, the moment after the door closes and you’re alone in the whole house? each one is different, you know, and all very beautiful if you listen carefully.”
-norton juster, the phantom tollbooth
—
huron river, ann arbor, mi, usa – january 2022
I just had this thought yesterday when I was out very early walking my dogs. It was still and silent.
LikeLiked by 4 people
how wonderful
LikeLike
I often think that there is no real silence. Walking my dog in the countryside, I hear birds in the trees, the rustling of leaves. or a breeze moving tall grass. Alone at home there are those sounds that a house makes. Clicks from places unknown, water moving through pipes, refrigerators humming as they work to reach the set temperature.
I think total silence would be quite scary.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
it is an elusive phenomenon
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some of the greatest discoveries of who we are can be found in those silent moments in our lives. Great post, Beth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
you are so right, brad
LikeLiked by 2 people
lovely silence we all deserve
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, everyone does –
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Ahh love this quote! 😻🌈
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Silently She Cries
In the sky somewhere
There’s the old peace dove crying
In silence, she’ll die
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLike
All different types of silence! All valuable in their own way
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes, each in their own way certainly
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pre-dawn silence really is golden. I get up early to take advantage if it for the short time it lasts.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am exactly the same. I love it before the world wakes up
LikeLike
I watched a friend lose her hearing, one ear at a time (hard of hearing in both, but one quit completely and the other one ‘hung on’ for almost another whole year). I have watched her navigate life as a deaf person and when my neighbors, at least one of which is always noisy except from maybe midnight to 6 AM, get on my nerves, I remind myself that Ellen would be so glad to hear something – anything – that she’d find joy in those sounds. I do love silence, however…
LikeLiked by 1 person
you are so right, and we do all indeed need to be grateful for our gift of hearing. this is what makes the moments of silence so special to us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This reminded me of my favourite song, The Sound of Silence.
LikeLiked by 2 people
absolutely one of my all time fav songs too, Roberta
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have the ability (not sure it really is one) to surround myself with silence when a group of women get together and babble. I am able to nod my head and make the appropriate “hmm’s” and “oh really’s?” and not hear a word.
Usually a group of talkative retired teachers. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Selective listening is an incredibly important skill
LikeLike
I need to listen without reacting. Then I don’t need to apologize for something I really didn’t to say.
(probably could apply to writing comments too)
LikeLiked by 1 person
all of us need to work on this, myself included
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to enjoy the silence in large exam halls. Quite impressive and intense!
LikeLike
Of course, when I had revised haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah
LikeLike
Yes, listening is a skill we all need to practice. My take: https://narble.blog/2021/02/19/listen/ .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice
LikeLiked by 1 person
A dark winter night when it’s so cold the snow squeaks and the silence is all encompassing. I love those moments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful example
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful quote. I am blessed to know this space intimately, and it is full of learning, as the quote reads, “if you listen carefully”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I so agree and feel lucky to experience it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. Me too.
LikeLike
I do enjoy silence, but I hadn’t thought about the different types – and what each type conveys. Something good to notice, I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we forget-
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️
LikeLike
Cold winter night, no wind, after a huge snowstorm, when everything sparkles like diamonds and the silence becomes your whole world. Fantastic..
LikeLiked by 1 person
magical
LikeLike
I love that silence when I ask my students a question, and you can hear a pin drop. it is occasionally interrupted with someone snoring… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahahaha – so you are the source )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Silence is golden, as they say. It is rare to experience, though, as quieting the mind is a tough task to accomplish.
LikeLiked by 1 person
you’re so right, that’s often the biggest challenge
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’m in, Beth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
magical moments
LikeLike
I love waking up and hearing the silence that tells me it snowed during the night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
nothing like it – a hush
LikeLike
Thanks for reminding me that I need to be still and listen more often. There’s so much to hear, even in the silence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
we all get so busy that we forget –
LikeLiked by 1 person
As Pascal said, “All men’s miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone.” There’s wisdom to be found in silence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
there absolutely is
LikeLike
Silence is golden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
and rare
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so true. Every silence has its own beauty. I haven’t read The Phantom Tollbooth in ages, such a good book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved it too
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love The Phantom Tollbooth. So clever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the silence of the morning – – the rest of the family is asleep, a cup of hot tea on the side table long forgotten, sitting in my comfortable, green armchair, hugged by the sound of peace, in the presence of divinity, feeling humble and calm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such a wonderful time of day
LikeLiked by 1 person
I felt all of these words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did too
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the silence of the mind on a very early summer morning in Africa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that must be wonderful
LikeLike
Ah yes! I wish it for everyone.
LikeLike
The silence after a bird call, as even the smallest creatures hold their breath.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh, so special
LikeLiked by 1 person
Silence in the early dawn is always magical
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s absolutely m favorite time of day
LikeLike
Ps – I just started reading one of your books, and your writing is as brilliant as ever, even in the long form
LikeLiked by 1 person
So nice of you to say. Which one is it ??
LikeLike
‘living life’
LikeLike