The benefit of silence

[Muza]

Now, the opposite side of the pole -

Yesterday I was having a really really terrible day, so on my way home, I just put on my headphones, turned up my music and started listening to it. I didnt want to see anybody, didnt want to hear anybody, didnt even want to hear myself and my thoughts, cause that made me even more angry/upset/ whatever. So, i guess that lack of silence, that distructive noise can provide an immediate retreat where one can just calm down, and only later ponder on the situation in silence and come to some sort of realisation or understanding..... if that whole thing even made any sense

 

[NEB]

Well access has certainly improved with all the personal gadgets there are. I somtimes use my little walkman-radio to listen to classicFM of Jazz FM, but one thing I love to listen to is BBC radio4, which is discussion, topical things, and lots of short radio plays, and book readings and discussions. That is really relaxing indeed, especially they way they do it. Not like the phone-in hyped-out shows that have on other more commercial channels interspersed with some often ghastly and banal offerings they call the latest hit!


I've just read what I wrote - I must be getting old! sigh

 

[C5Says]

Ok, I have a mobile phone too, but I keep mine on vibrate when out in public and also wear a bluetooth ear thingy, so the only one who can hear my phone ring is me.

LOL...I imagine you SUDDENLY talking to yourself! Then people around would WONDER what is it about you...

Then there are the 10 to 12 year olds with mobile phones in the malls - talking as loud as they can so as to be noticed. And of course, they are not paying any attention to anything else around them, and trying all the wrong ways to appear and look "cool" ...

That is why more teens/youngsters get robbed off their hi-tech phones.

Shoot, when I was their age, we didn't have mobile phones, nor even cassette tapes, and we got along just fine in society, probably better than we do today.

Neither have your peers.

Parents giving their kids cell phones just so they don't have to take the real responsibility of really knowing where their kids are - in those cases I refer to the mobile phone as an "electronic leash" ... that is not responsible nor proper parenting, at least, imho.

In this age, a roaming kid needs a cellphone. Not for flash but for communication. My eldest is going 14 this April and she travels/commutes alone (many of her peers who got overprotective parents cannot travel alone; that's what makes them dumb on the road sometimes). Being in a dangerous society, we need to let her loose to learn how to be street smart and yet in close contact so when she gets in danger/gets lost, she knows who to contact. She has one of those considered 'jurassic' phones (Nokia 5210) with casing almost broken. We even warn her of not using it on the street if it's not even an emergency. With that model, even the snatchers are having second thoughts.

 

[NEB]

How does she feel about having an 'uncool' phone - I'd have a massive battle on my hands were I to supply such an instrument.

I've just had to have serious words, because all the credit on my eldest's phone was used up in silly text conversations with people she'd seen at school all day and was going to see at a 'training' group all evening...

So there's no credit for when it's needed now.

 

[C5Says]

How does she feel about having an 'uncool' phone - I'd have a massive battle on my hands were I to supply such an instrument.

I've just had to have serious words, because all the credit on my eldest's phone was used up in silly text conversations with people she'd seen at school all day and was going to see at a 'training' group all evening...

So there's no credit for when it's needed now.

She understands. She should be thankful she has at least even an uncool phone. The kids (3 of them, all girls) are well fed in Church with the Way and friends with the same brainwaves. Being in their formative years we see this very important as they grow up so that when they are old they will not depart from it (teachings). When they are not following or are being stubborn, I only have to ask, "What commandment are you breaking?" And sure enough they would answer, "Honor your father and your mother." Quite relieving.

 

[Muza]

In most cases, the problem is not in the phones, but in educations that the kids are getting from their parents (educations is not the best word here, but I cant think of a different one. perhaps - upbringing?). I see so many kids that from the very young age are being spoiled, dont think it neccessary to obey their parents, if anything goes the other way - they just spit on their parents and throw a hissy fit. And parents go along with it and let them!!!!
Thats how those kids grow up to be nothing but spoiled and disrespectful!.

But of course I stretch the truth a little. There are plenty of parents who raise their kids well, and I sincerely applaud them for it! And there are plenty of young adults who are well-behaved, mannered, respectfull, and are about something!

P.S. And when politics get in the way of how you should raise your kid - what the h... is this? At this rate we are going to end up with Socialist society. "You cant spank your kids, cant do this, cant do that, because kids are human and have feelings!!!" What? Does anyone have any feelings on that?

 

[NEB]

Oh don't get me started on the Nanny state. We've got it really bad here. Blair did us an enormous disservice. He has to have been one of the worst prime ministers of my lifetime.

 

[C5Says]

I can find silence amidst noise. I can sleep at New Year's eve (in the Philippines that means too noisy).

 

[Krummhorn]

How does she feel about having an 'uncool' phone - I'd have a massive battle on my hands were I to supply such an instrument.

I've just had to have serious words, because all the credit on my eldest's phone was used up in silly text conversations with people she'd seen at school all day and was going to see at a 'training' group all evening...

So there's no credit for when it's needed now.

I went through this same scenario with my son ... I bought him a very plain but very functional mobile phone for his 17th birthday - It texted, had long distance and had voice mail. After a bit, learning what other kids at school had, he began to scoff about the limitations of this phone ... I then offered to return it to the store and he could do without ... amazingly, suddenly this was actually a pretty nice phone afterall.

When kids learn that the alternative is having one or not having one, their tune changes. Now, of course, he (at almost 21) has the latest fanciest gadget phone available, but he's the one paying for it, not me.

When the kids get spoiled all the time by their parents, then they seem to turn out like little spoiled brats (Britney and Paris come to mind) who have tantrums and cry when they don't get their way and then everyone has sympathy for them ... boo-hoo, my arse!! :lol:

 

[C5Says]

In most cases, the problem is not in the phones, but in educations that the kids are getting from their parents (educations is not the best word here, but I cant think of a different one. perhaps - upbringing?). I see so many kids that from the very young age are being spoiled, dont think it neccessary to obey their parents, if anything goes the other way - they just spit on their parents and throw a hissy fit. And parents go along with it and let them!!!!
Thats how those kids grow up to be nothing but spoiled and disrespectful!.

But of course I stretch the truth a little. There are plenty of parents who raise their kids well, and I sincerely applaud them for it! And there are plenty of young adults who are well-behaved, mannered, respectfull, and are about something!

P.S. And when politics get in the way of how you should raise your kid - what the h... is this? At this rate we are going to end up with Socialist society. "You cant spank your kids, cant do this, cant do that, because kids are human and have feelings!!!" What? Does anyone have any feelings on that?

"Spare the rod and spoil the child."
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."

These are just a couple, among many others, that teach basic child rearing. It's really sad to see spoiled brats, mainly due to the parents. Consequences reaped later but too late when it is already happening. Learning from others' mistakes and getting clues here and there should help new parents rear their children right. It may not be what's popular, but still it is the right thing to do even if you're just alone.

 

[NEB]

Paris! Britney! UberBrat. Honestly - and that's the role model most of the girls want to follow! No wonder society is in deep do-do's.

We're in an Empire situation. Built on shaky foundations of Debt. So much like second century Rome in so many ways. The breakdown of values. The self indulgance.

It ain't gonna be pretty when it finally comes unravelled!

 

[C5Says]

Sad, but true. A good thing we don't have TV. Feeds from the tube is limited...and I get to hog the internet. The only places they surf are games (and they are even screened).

 

[NEB]

No TV removes an awful lot of the detrimental programming that children experience. - well we all do. Bombarded by the commercial messages the ad man wants you to absorb.

 

[C5Says]

The internet is the same if one doesn not know how to control it. The good thing about the internet is communication is both ways, unlike TV that spoonfeeds you one-way and even if you retaliate, it's like talking to the deaf.

TV destroys a LOT in a household. Time management, IQ, reading comprehension, obedience to parents, delayed cooking/housework, etc. It does more bad things than it does good. Even the news can do harm.

 

[C5Says]

Just wanted to share my silence...

Silence

Silence has been my companion,
Since schooldays, such a union;
We've known each other for so long,
She's been my partner, ever strong.

She makes me think more sanely,
She helps defeat the enemy;
When someone tries to challenge me,
Silence reminds me to take it calmly.

My life is less without her,
In times of trouble, she has to be there;
Several times she tried to leave,
I get into trouble I cannot receive.

Amidst the noise we're enveloped in,
She emanates peace from within;
My strength, my shield, my warrior,
Without her, I'm not a survivor.

 

[NEB]

That's a nice poem. Thanx for sharing it with us.

 

[marval]

C5 Thank you for sharing your silence with us. Very good words, I agree about TV, I think it makes people lazy. I would much rather read a good book, and listen to music. I think silence gives one time to think, and put life in perspective.

If I have the house to myself I can sometimes just listen to nothing, it is very calming, in a stressful time.


Margaret

 

[NEB]

I like the radio. I love BBC Radio 4 especially. It is full of interesting programmes that include Current affairs, general interest things (like say about wildlife or history or whatever), Radio soaps (like the Archers), Reading of books or short plays or short stories and so on.

With a very varied selection everyday, it can be interesting to listen while doing other things. Something that doesn't work so easily with the television.

 

[C5Says]

@marval, silence is so rare these days you really have to have to effort to find it yourself. Amidst the noise, it's more difficult to hear the 'still small Voice.' Thanks for appreciating my poem.

@NEB, I would also listen to the radio and there is one station that I love... DZFE which plays classical Thanks for appreciating my poem too.

 

[janny108]

Silence takes some desire to do it. I find I have to carve out time periods where I can read the bible and pray or just contemplate stuff. I admire the beauty outside too.
Jan