Quiet and silent happiness
We live in a frightful loud world. Also here in the Philippines… - At every corner of our daily life are innumerable chances of being covered up with unbearable din and noise. The loud outcry gives us sometimes the needle. Even we tell ourselves not to lose our heads, but time will come when we loose our cool. We don’t have nerves of steel forever.
If you ask me how it would feel like to spend a lovely evening after a hectic and stressful day, I could tell yout his:
The nicest occurrence is silence, the intimate taciturnity, which can “weld” people and partners together. It might sound just like an idiomatic expression, but not being forced to talk is great! No, I don’t mean that we have nothing to say to each other any more - or, he or she won’t listen to reason or has no say in this and that matter. No, I mean a deep understanding between two people, who are together and are able to share time in quiet and silent happiness. Maybe, for the younger generations it sounds splendid and even a little bit histrionic. But it’s so simple if we only practice it. It works even between a Filipina wife and alien husband…
After a long and strenuous day it is a real comfort to sit and lean back, read all the (old) newspapers from the past week while enjoying a handful peanuts or an apple. A crossword puzzle is easier to solve while having a “silent radio program” in the background than a TV, which “roars hell to pay” all day long. How relaxing is such an evening after traffic woes, telephone’s ringing, meetings and never ending discussions. Why should we talk right now??? Sure, we would like to talk of the daily occurrence in our life. But honestly, we enjoy quite and lovely evenings…
Feeling safe and secure, inseparabl, indestructible with peace in our minds and our surroundings - this is what we really mean to each other, understanding even without words… And, suddenly out of the depth of comfort and ease we might be able to speak about things, which couldn’t be discussed earlier. A good talk grows - but without compulsion or constraint or obligation, without being desperate or forced. It’s like walking hand-in-hand on a lonely sand beach (the Philippines have more then enough) such as “once upon a time” with our first beloved. And unexpectedly: we are silent again AND thankful for it.
Hi Klaus - I couldn’t agree more! Sometimes just taking a full day to do nothing but relax is the best thing you can do for your mental well-being! In todays world of constant pressure to do this and that, meet this person, and then have lunch with that person, peace and quiet is very valuable indeed!
Hi Klaus. Can only agreewith you 100%.When i am office bound i am at it 14 hours aday. Stress, pressure you name it wears you down and one day i will pay the price.But peace and queit really takes me to alevel of relaxtion that asi get older becomes so important to me.Bobs blog has now become agood source of stress relief.Its now become part of my relaxation mode.To debate issues in ones life with people of different ages, gender and culture ifind very relaxing.Klaus where ilive in South Africa we have complete peace and quiet.Most times of day or night all one can hear are the birds and crickets. The peacefullness is one of the reasons my filipina wife enjoys life here.One of our main problems with day to day life in Phil isthe continuos noise it is tottaly unrelenting . Davao ireally enjoy and have many friends theresome i have yet to meet personly.Buttobe able to relax with the consistant bedlam well really i dont known.Time will tell.
Hi Klaus _ There is a saying “Silence is golden” and like you I enjoy my solitude so I can reflect on my day. That doesn’t mean to say I’m anti- social but sometimes its nice to have just your own company for a change. Some people do this in different ways by having for example a solitary hobby or doing something that can be done on ones own. I enjoy reading especially in the winter and in the better weather doing something outdoors thats what I call my quality time. Quality time for me is also spending time with Marilou my wife and best friend so like you I can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Hi Bob, thanks a lot. As we both know we have a lot in common too. Have a great day.
Hi Frank, it’s great to hear you are from South Africa. I was there in 1980. I know you have a lot of quiet and peaceful and wonderful places. My Austrian friend Lisa lived in Johannesburg and we toured all around South Africa. She moved now to Namibia and is also a reader of LiP. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and thanks a lot for your praises regarding LiP. Your and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Hi Jim, thanks for dropping by. Yeah, you are right “Silence is golden”. And like you, I also have some other activities (outdoor and indoor). Of course, writing always gives me a good relief. Also for you, your wife Marilou and the whole family Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.
Hi Klaus. Last week i was in the mamib desert for aweek. This is the bastion of peace ann quiet. no people no aspects of so called civilisation. just you and your thougts. Some what different from EDSAin Manilia inthe rush hour.
Hi Frank, I am sure you had a great time. Of course, it’s the total opposite of EDSA during rush hours. I stayed in different deserts in South Africa. I can understand very well, what you are feeling. Good thing, we also have some really lonely islands here in the Philippines, and we might feel the same. Thanks again for dropping by.
Hallo Klaus
A note from your long time friend from Southern Africa
You are sooo right ! It is so important to have some quiet reflecting time, time to relax your brain and to switch off. Daily Life & Work can be so straineous and demanding. What better place than to sit in your garden, listen to the birds or sit comfortably on the couch with a good book.
And of course, the Ultimate Silence is to be found in the desert - agreeing with Frank who has visited one of my favorite weekend- getaway-spots, the Namib.
Wishing you a peaceful festive season
Greetings from Namibia - the other side of the world
Lisa
Hi Lisa, this was really a surprise. Thanks for stopping by. It’s great to have readers even at the other side of the globe. Also to you and your whole family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year…
hI Lisa.Iam in NAMBIA fairly regular 3/4 times ayear on business.Normally i am in Windhoek and Swakopmund.( my favorite town in all the world).Atleast once ayear i drive from joeburg trough Botawana. This gives me the excuse to drive through the desert from Walvis Baii to Luderizt.I have done this maybe 15 times and the thought of doing again in is already exciting me .Only sad point isthat the brewery in Swakopmund has been closed.Davao where Klaus lives is completley different from our part of the world. But yet has its beauty in different ways. Tot siens alis van debeste.
Hi Frank, and so we connected really around the globe. Yes, Davao is totally different, but also here are still quiet places. I call them my hidden paradise. I think Lisa knows, when she visited Davao City seven years ago,