What a gift that experience was for you. And the addictive nature of our devices is all too real. Getting out into natural spaces is a healing balm for so much of our stress, loneliness, negativity. Good for you for pulling the plug!
Too true, it is most certainly a healing balm, Kym. I know our gardens are our safe spaces too. Finally a lovely day to be outside again after some terrible rain storms.
Sugar for the mind.... it certainly is. And we operate better on whole grains of nature. While my analogy really doesn't work, there is something about nurishement for our nervous system, soul and creative processes. And now my turn, to disconnect for 12 days. Going on holiday for first time wihtout my lap top for as long as I remember!
Oh wonderful. The days of no longer being tethered. When we left, we left. No phone or way of being in touch except by postcard. Enjoy! You have more than earned this much needed break!
“Experience the joy of silence, a respite from manufactured noise.” So well said, Linda. I’m shocked by those that respond to manufactured noise by making more noise! A car sound system that shakes the doors of my own car. A home with three televisions, all set to different sources. And of course loud as well.
Your account checked many boxes for what experiences and comforts I enjoyed on back country treks. Quiet at night allowing the best seats for an owl chorus. Yes, the warm wool socks, especially after crossing a cold, rushing stream. Seeing moose with heads completely submerged to graze on pond grasses. Hiking to, then beyond, tree line as familiar trees took on Lilliputian proportions.
We can’t bring home “the sound stage” of wilderness treks. I was certain to bring photos from my small, Canon point-and-shoot. The mental images of key parts of those days remain stored and retrievable in my noggin. Soul quenching.
Thanks once more Linda for sharing a well written essay derived from your life experiences that magically key into some of my own.
Oh thank you Gary, I have missed you. I love the stories you share, that spring sometimes from reading what I have shared. Yes, the "sound stage" of wilderness adventures. The best parts are not captured in our phones or cameras, but in our hearts. Thank you! xo
I'm a novice kayaker Linda, but I had the joy of being out on the water a couple of times in recent days. On a river, not a lake, in Tipperary not Canadian wilderness. Yet there was 'wild' all around - insects, fish, birds, trees and so on. And no phone! Bliss. Thank you for this post, esp for this sentence - 'I was reminded, “I can do this” rather than “I can’t keep up.” '
I love it. Anywhere we can get away from our ergonomic lives and phones to experience our Mother, Nature is essential to our wellbeing. I do love being out on a river in a kayak. Yes, when the water gets 'spicy' it can challenge us, when our shoulders are screaming from the paddling, this is a temporary discomfort. Yes we can do this, and we are rewarded for our persistence. Thank you Margaret!
Linda, I just wrote a poem this morning about silence and my relationship of it. Thank you for sharing this..It resonates. Lacing up my sneakers is my excuse to be in silence...what a joy indeed.
What a gift that experience was for you. And the addictive nature of our devices is all too real. Getting out into natural spaces is a healing balm for so much of our stress, loneliness, negativity. Good for you for pulling the plug!
Too true, it is most certainly a healing balm, Kym. I know our gardens are our safe spaces too. Finally a lovely day to be outside again after some terrible rain storms.
Sugar for the mind.... it certainly is. And we operate better on whole grains of nature. While my analogy really doesn't work, there is something about nurishement for our nervous system, soul and creative processes. And now my turn, to disconnect for 12 days. Going on holiday for first time wihtout my lap top for as long as I remember!
Oh wonderful. The days of no longer being tethered. When we left, we left. No phone or way of being in touch except by postcard. Enjoy! You have more than earned this much needed break!
“Experience the joy of silence, a respite from manufactured noise.” So well said, Linda. I’m shocked by those that respond to manufactured noise by making more noise! A car sound system that shakes the doors of my own car. A home with three televisions, all set to different sources. And of course loud as well.
Your account checked many boxes for what experiences and comforts I enjoyed on back country treks. Quiet at night allowing the best seats for an owl chorus. Yes, the warm wool socks, especially after crossing a cold, rushing stream. Seeing moose with heads completely submerged to graze on pond grasses. Hiking to, then beyond, tree line as familiar trees took on Lilliputian proportions.
We can’t bring home “the sound stage” of wilderness treks. I was certain to bring photos from my small, Canon point-and-shoot. The mental images of key parts of those days remain stored and retrievable in my noggin. Soul quenching.
Thanks once more Linda for sharing a well written essay derived from your life experiences that magically key into some of my own.
Oh thank you Gary, I have missed you. I love the stories you share, that spring sometimes from reading what I have shared. Yes, the "sound stage" of wilderness adventures. The best parts are not captured in our phones or cameras, but in our hearts. Thank you! xo
I'm a novice kayaker Linda, but I had the joy of being out on the water a couple of times in recent days. On a river, not a lake, in Tipperary not Canadian wilderness. Yet there was 'wild' all around - insects, fish, birds, trees and so on. And no phone! Bliss. Thank you for this post, esp for this sentence - 'I was reminded, “I can do this” rather than “I can’t keep up.” '
I love it. Anywhere we can get away from our ergonomic lives and phones to experience our Mother, Nature is essential to our wellbeing. I do love being out on a river in a kayak. Yes, when the water gets 'spicy' it can challenge us, when our shoulders are screaming from the paddling, this is a temporary discomfort. Yes we can do this, and we are rewarded for our persistence. Thank you Margaret!
"I crave the slow food of curiosity, inquiry and silence."
Yes, yes, yes. First world society craves this, yet has no idea that this is the nourishment it needs.
Great piece Linda. Thank you
Thank you Regina! So glad it resonates. xo
"Social media is sugar for the mind." Yes! I'd never thought of it this way!
"What did I miss? Nothing - nothing that matters." Oh Linda, this is brilliant!
Linda, I just wrote a poem this morning about silence and my relationship of it. Thank you for sharing this..It resonates. Lacing up my sneakers is my excuse to be in silence...what a joy indeed.