A favorite

A walk in the morning mist, Topanga, California. 2003.

For those not familiar with Pico Iyer's The Eloquent Sounds of Silence, I give you this link to the essay, which was first published (in print) in Time magazine on January 25, 1993.

I had been going through a rough period in my life when I picked up at random this particular issue of Time at my university library. I was probably frazzled with waiting to be waitlisted into classes; not finding my friends anywhere; not having luck with a relationship; not having eaten at all that day. And so I went to the library to lose myself in books. I don't remember much of that magazine but for Mr. Iyer's essay on the back, but I remember going out to buy it just for that one page.

The sound of silence.

I don't have to point to the obvious conclusion that we're increasingly surrounded by noise practically everywhere. Not just aural pollution, with mobile phones disrupting a nice hike 10,000 vertical feet up in the mountains and gas station muzak, but with visual pollution: radio towers on remote backcountry hills, housing developments encroaching on state parks, stores advertising sales on Thanksgiving Day, for crying out loud. (The Worsted Witch Jasmin is a more informed and persuasive "green" blogger than I--I tend to rant more--so she's worth reading.)

The next 5 weeks or so will be filled with the onslaught (tongue-in-cheek) of families and friends, arguments and reconciliations, reunions and celebrations. It could prove to be exhausting, with everyone clamoring for everyone else's attention. If, on the off chance that you do happen to have some time to yourself, not knitting and not spinning or doing anything holiday related, just personal time, please read Mr. Iyer's thoughts on silence.

Have a wonderful weekend! Comments closed for this post.