A Small and Simple Thing

Have you noticed how plugged in we have become? We've got mini computers with instant internet access, in our hands. We've got smart phones, tablet computers, notebook computers laptop computers, and desktop computers in our pockets, in our homes, or available at public libraries. We've got hundreds of television channels competing for our attention at all hours of the day and night. We've got radio over the airwaves and through satellite. If there's still nothing that suits your fancy, you can go the "old fashioned" route and buy music to play on a CD player, an MP3 player or one of the afore mentioned devices. We can literally fill every waking and sleeping moment with news or entertainment. Even if we're not really paying attention, we've become accustomed to having something as background noise.

There's just one question I'd like to ask, "Why?" Why do we feel the need to muffle out silence with noise? Are we so uncomfortable with the quiet inside our own minds that we must block it out? What are we afraid of?

What would have happened if Mozart had blocked out the music in his mind in exchange for the quickly produced work of a lesser artist? Would he have still been the inspired composer he was? Just try to imagine George Fredric Handel wearing ear buds while writing the Messiah. Could he have finished the entire score for choir and orchestra in 24 grueling days with the constant background noise we've come to expect? What would our world be like if Edison or Tesla had become prey to some of the very inventions they were instrumental in creating? What about all the great works of literature? Would they have been possible if their authors had been as bombarded as we with the "creative" ideas of others? Are we diminishing our own potential by staying plugged in?

This week is an excellent time to take a little time for a small change. It's something simple, really, just unplug for a few minutes every day and listen. Become aware of the sounds around you. Become aware of your thoughts, your own thoughts, not those poured in by others. Take a little time to practice pondering questions or ideas that are important to you. Perhaps, you will unlock a bit of overlooked greatness in yourself.

 

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."