Saturday, June 28, 2014

Stop the Noise!! (please)

source 

"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.
God is a friend of silence.
See how nature—trees, flowers, grass— grows in silence;
see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...
we need silence to be able to touch souls."
 ~Mother Teresa 

~

It's a fact...we live in a very noisy world.

I don't really know when it all started...
...the simple noises of every day life didn't use to bother me.
Maybe I'm just getting old. [[shudder]]

Is it just me??
I mean, can I get a witness?
Sometimes, I want I need... to just block it all out...
...all of that artificial stuff.

I guess I am trying to figure out the why in all of this.
So why does the world have to be so such a noisy place, anyway?
I don't recall this being such an issue for me until just recently.
Now don't get me wrong, I thank God for the precious gift of hearing.
It's right up there with eyesight and the senses of taste and smell.
But do we, as a culture, really need to be so...noisy?
I just don't get it.
 ~
Even after the FCC supposedly began regulating the volume,
the advertisements on television continue to be ridiculously loud.
Much louder than the program you were watching...still.
I mean, do they really think that just because we heard their loud, annoying commercial,
that we will really make a B-line down to their store and buy that sofa??
Not me but I imagine there are folks that do....
...oh well.



Even though I am not a fan, talk shows are just that...talk shows.
When someone is talking, isn't someone supposed to be listening as well?
More times than not, they are all trying to talk over each other!
Maybe they should be called yell shows...or shout shows.
I do enjoy some of those TV old shows from the 50's and 60's though.
Why is it that Lucy's whiny voice and Ricky's rants, don't seem to get to me??
Hmmm...I'll have to think about that one a while...
~
Morning talk radio programs are another thing.
Many are loud, and often obnoxious and/or irreverent.
~
And there's just something about a loud sports announcer...
it's like nails on a chalkboard...worse yet, wipers on a dry windshield to my ears.
Can you tell that I am not much of a sports fan?
I do realize I may feel differently about this if I was. (smile)
~
  Sometimes, folks out in the marketplace can be heard coming,
 w-a-y before they even enter your field of vision.
They seem to have acquired this somewhat strange condition...you know the one.
The one where an odd looking appendage seems to be growing from the sides of their faces.
I think I have heard it called the "Bluetooth" Syndrome.


Have you ever been in a public restroom
and the person in the next stall starts a conversation with you?
You may even have spoken back to them as I have done before,
only to find out that she wasn't speaking to you at all.
In reality, she was talking to her BFF on her her headset!
It seems that the elusive moments of peace and quiet
can't even be found in the potty room!
Really?? The potty room??
Sometimes, it is my only sanctuary!
~
When my husband has reign over the television remote,
which is basically whenever he's not working,
I struggle with his need to have the volume up so high.
I am forever asking him to turn it down.
It just grates on my last nerve.
I find myself on the verge of screaming at times...:O
But then, I'd be adding to the noise level, wouldn't I? 
I am realizing that the older I get, the more I need my peace and quiet!
 ~
I want to hear that breeze as it whispers through the trees...



...to hear the waves crash against the shore...



...to hear that faint train whistle echoing in the distance... 




...and to hear nothing but the voice of God as I watch the setting sun.



My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation.
~Psalm 62:1

A QUIET PLACE
~Glenda Fulton Davis

I daily seek a quiet place, that's far from trouble and strife.
Where I can piece together all the puzzles of my life.
It's there, away from TV and books, and far from the telephone,
That I can fellowship with God, just He and I alone.


And there God pours His balm of love, into the life I live.
And there I find a peace and joy that only He can give.
I will not fear the circumstances I face from day to day.,
For daily in my quiet place, I'm learning how to pray.





I hope your weekend is blessed...and that you might find a few quiet moments :)

Sharing here:

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24 comments:

  1. I am so with you on this, Debbie. Event the bathroom fan drives me crazy. My soul waits in silence for God only...oh Yes! ~Pamela

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  2. Oh what a beautiful voice. It calms by soul and the song is perfect. I long for stillness and pray for peace right now. I keep remembering the verse, "In quietness and trust is our salvation." "Be still and know that He is God is another." Just the reading of His word calms a troubled heart. This is just pure beauty. I love the railroad track. I guess because I grew up walking one. Right now I'd love to take a walk on that trail of green. Great post! Thanks for sharing. Love your new format!

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  3. Good morning dear Debby!
    First,I was blessed by reading your e mail this morning with a nice cup of coffee. I too would love to met you face to face. I agree with you, who
    Knows? :-)
    While reading Gods Word this morning before reading your post,I was reminded in Palm 63 of exactly what you posted, is Good too wonderful?!
    He gave me a double dose today, and used YOU as one of those doses. :-)
    May we always begin our days right from the time we get out of bed by focusing our thoughts on Jesus. Speak His name softly and tenderly as we walk in His presence, allowing Him to bless our souls with His peace and joy.
    Thank you, Debby, for this lovely post, both in your words and pictures.
    Much love, Debbie

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  4. So true, my friend, the world seems to be full of noise. I am so thankful I have the Lord to calm my nerves and give me peace when I start feeling "jittery" - noise (especially when I hear today's music) makes me feel uptight, does that make sense?

    Anywho, I loved your post today - thank you for sharing. And I keep meaning to tell you that I love your header :) Hugs to you!

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  5. It's very quiet in my corner today. Come have tea! I'm baking a cake. We'll talk about what The Lord has been teaching you and then what He has been teaching me. (John needs the volume much higher than I and it can be worrisome.)

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  6. I spend a lot of time in doctors offices waiting room and the constant music playing just drives me nuts!!! Also, some of our fav restaurants play their music entirely too loud. Like you, I am thankful to have excellent hearing. My poor husband wears hearing aids and the loud music etc. hurts him thru his aides. Why can't we just have quiet???

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  7. I think we as a society have forgotten what it is like to have quiet.

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  8. Yep, I have answered someone in a restroom when I thought they were talking to me. It happened several years ago, back when I was still working. The lady said "what are you doing?" From the next stall. I thought it was obvious, but I answered that I was peeing. She proceeds to chatter on and on about what she did last night, and I'm saying "uh huh." I finally figured out the she could care less what I said. And I finally figured out she was chatting on a cell phone (eewww, before Bluetooth devices). I like more quite too the older I get.

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  9. Yessssss!!!!! I can't stand talk radio. I love sports but the talk shows saying over and over what they think about the player and the plays and the win and the loss and the coach and the blah, blah, blah....it drives me batty! What a great post my friend. God's voice will seem to elude us if we don't tune out the "noise" Thanks for the reminder. I could just live in those photos you posted. Oh my! So peaceful..............

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  10. What a wonderful song to finish with, and such magnificent scenery. And yes I agree with you about the noise. Since we have both retired I find that I have lost my quiet time - first thing in the morning just to sit and be. I wonder why men find it necessary to fill the place with sound? Not that I would be without him you understand, I'm just wondering.
    Loved this post.

    Diana

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  11. Amen..maybe it is our age. I feel the same. Love just being in my sunroom..alone :) Have a great Sunday!

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  12. Hi Debbie! Again, we are like twins. My husband wants that volume turned UP for TV shows. I think he might be going a little deaf? And then the commercials just blow you out of your seat. Ugh.
    I started silent prayer this past Lent, and have continued it. So much joy in the quiet, but even my head is so loud!
    I love that quote from Mother Teresa, lets find God in the quiet. If not outside, then at least inside.
    Loved this!
    Ceil

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  13. Oh, Debby! I know! Your words pretty much have come out of my mouth on more than one occasion. I just don't get it either. I've become so sensitive to the noise that surrounds me most of the time. I'm thankful for quiet times. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this...makes me feel that someone else understands.

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  14. I loved the interview with the Mother who has 19 (20?) children on TV - The Dorgans? Durgans? Anyway . . . she taught her children to sit still - actually gave them lessons so they could practice being quiet and still, so when they were in public, they could control themselves. I think being quiet is nerve wracking for some people who haven't "practiced" this skill. Once learned, sitting in the quiet is a beautiful thing.

    Great post!

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  15. I totally agree with you on this. I love peace and quiet, which is probably one of the reasons why I love being home so much. Everywhere you go there are TVs, have you noticed? I can't even pump gas now without a TV over the pump! Restaurants, even nice ones, have TVs up. I think quiet is crucial for cultivating our relationship with the Lord, for thinking things through, for using our imaginations . . . I loved your photos, too. I am a new follower.

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  16. Boy can I relate to a lot of what you said.

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  17. Debbie, You've touched me right where I am. I even found praise and worship at church to be too loud. My husband cannot hear my normal voice half the time. Always noise with children....
    Blessings,
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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    Replies
    1. Laura, you are so right about that...the loud "worship" music is almost like an oxymoron, isn't it? So glad to be able to escape the noise as often as I can! Have a wonderful week!

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  18. Oh, I feel as you do about noise, Debby! We have always had a quiet house. Not that we don't talk (we actually do a lot of that!), but no blaring television, no loud music, no shouting voices. Peace and quiet are valued highly! Mostly, though, I pray to keep a quiet and restful heart, no matter what is going on around me.

    The song you have shared is beautiful and life-giving!

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  19. Oh sister, make room for me on that soapbox!! YES, I am also tired of all the noise (and I get the irony that I "shouted" that word yes!!) I think part of the reason the noise bugs me more as I'm getting older is because I just don't seem to have the energy to turn it off or ignore it like I used to. Today I returned back to my mountain home after being "in the city" for the last two weeks with my mom. Shortly after dinner, just as it was turning dusk, my hubby told me to hurry over to our big picture window. Right outside, at our water trough, was a mama deer and the tiniest baby I have ever seen!! And then the baby started nursing. I don't know, but I need more moments like that!

    Your photos were beautiful, as always, and a feast of serenity for my soul!

    GOD BLESS!

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  20. Yes it is because you are old. LOL Just Kidding! :) I have always preferred quiet as well / maybe it comes from growing up in the country.
    It does seem that men need to have their TVs and radios etc. louder than women. I know if my sons are over here it seems that what they might be watching on YouTube or whatever on the Net is so much louder than necessary. Or on the weekend, a neighbor who puts the radio on while washing his car...well, do we ALL need to hear that? Yep, last nerve sometimes here, too. :)

    Lovely post ! Ssshh....

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  21. Debby, this is such a wonderful post. We live in the middle of nowhere and are still guilty of inviting noise into our home from time to time. I do love the faint train whistle in the distance and the church chimes from the little town 2 miles away. I love the birdsong that starts at 4:30 in the morning. And you're so right. 'Be still and know that I am God' is difficult if our heads are filled with noise.

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  22. Hi Debby,

    Trying to catch up with my visits after a busy two weeks of gardening, and such.

    So well said, (not screamed!), your notions and observations about noise! I have to admit that while I was visiting Canada in the spring, I realized just how noisy it is everywhere, as compared to my every day routine, here, in my little village in the hills of Crete. I'm lucky that I am awakened by birdsong, and lulled to sleep at night by crickets. Whispering winds have a lot to say, actually, if we listen when they breeze by. And silence, well, that depends on my mood. Thanks for an interesting read!

    Poppy

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Thank you for stopping by today! Your sweet comments are such an encouragement to me.

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