"This world desperately needs silence. Most people are addicted to stress-producing stimuli. Mentally and emotionally, we need to fast, to clean out the system, to stop overloading it with mean and unnatural mental pollution. We are deeply afraid of the silence, the void, the emptiness. That is because a materialistic prejudice thinks that what cannot be touched does not exist. The void is not material; it is force." - Marianne Williamson (from Illuminata: A Return to Prayer)

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

Answers

Amen and Ho! Got rid of the TV several years back, and never regretted it. Coworkers look at me funny when I turn their radios down or off, but when you are used to lots of silence, it is really bothersome when you're trying to work (in a Dr's office, clinic area no less). I have explained how I feel to my coworkers, and as the nurse, I feel I have to do what's best for me and my patient's. And loud rock and roll isn't what's best, in my opinion. Thanks for passing this on.

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

That is a great quote, diane.

I'm constantly amazed at what people will put up with when it comes to man-made noises. Those people who live next to busy streets... how do they cope with all that noise? As for me, I need silence so I can think! (grin)

BTW, I created a new category titled: *Favorite Quotes & Aphorisms*. Just thought it might be nice to have all these great quotes collected in one easy-to-find place.

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

I know I definately need silence. The fiance and I had our first fight about this subject. He wanted me to move into his house after we're married. The problem is he lives right next to Interstate 70 in Kansas. I had to explain to him as best I could that living there would kill me slowly but surely. I hate the city and all the noises that go with it. Also can't stand kid noise-they want to be make noise they go outside or to their room and shut the door.

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

The worst thing is that many folks feel that they cannot get along without their cell phone, pager or whatever. More stress is caused by NOT being able to get away from these things. My husband and I cannot wait to get to get a boat we just bought out on "Lake Atlantic" and hide from all this electronic and motorized stimuli. All we're planning on taking is a CB radio in case we need to call the Coast Guard for some reason!! Friends of ours tell us that we really "need" a cell phone. Yeah right!!

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

Well, I have a little different twist on the cell phone question. I'm looking for one for cheap. I'm not planning on getting a service, mind you, just one that will function on '911' calls, because I'm often out in situations where it would be nice to have...out riding in the woods, at the barn all hours of the night, that sort of thing.

Since a horse fell on my vet a few days ago and he ended up in the hospital, it's been poking at me more that I really need to do that. Luckily, there were people there who called 911 and got the ambulance there for him, but you could lie out in the woods a loooooooong time before anyone found you, or a whole long time til the next morning in the barn if something happened. But I don't want one for going around with it glued to my head like so many people seem to do.

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

I agree with you there, Julie. If you are alone, it is a good thing to have a cell phone! I try to go riding with a friend because it seems the older I get the further away the ground gets!! When my husband goes off into the woods to cut firewood or lumber trees, I always tell him that if he's not out by such and such a time, I'm comin' looking for him!!

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001