It’s Tough To Find Quiet Today
No Man is an Island
by Jon Hilton
As our society has evolved to produce more and more entertainment for people to enjoy, the moments available for actual individual, creative thought have become few and far between.
I know that personally, there were times where I was entertained during every moment of my free time. It was common to turn the television on immediately when I got home to add noise to a quiet house, to having music playing all night long to, “help me sleep”, it was a non-stop bombardment of my senses that was actually distracting me from engaging in any original thought at all.
When you look at how our young people choose to live life, it is even worse, between Ipods, computers, video games and television, there is very little left for the imagination to do for them. They are living an amusement park ride of the senses, allowing for outside influences to supply the entertainment, not developing their individual thoughts or imagination. This is not everybody, but a large portion of the youth today.
Finding Your Thoughts In The Quiet
Solitude
Solitude is not a dirty word. As we are developing as people, it seems like you are constantly judged by how many friends you have and that if you are ever by yourself then you must have a problem.
That is not true, what you need to develop is an ability to be by yourself and to use that time not as a sign of social dissatisfaction, but to use it as a time to develop your individual creativity and thoughts.
It is in this time alone that you will be able to find your original thoughts and understand the many experiences that you have. If you find a quiet time without any distraction and allow your mind to work unfettered by any outside influence, you will experience original thoughts, no matter how intelligent you feel you are.
You will find your own thoughts in the quiet times. You will be surprised what you will be able to create and understand in that time all by yourself. You will find many of the things that you are passionate about as well as being able to glean wisdom and understanding from the experiences you have had throughout your life. You will also start to really notice all of the rich details in the things around you that previously you were oblivious to.
Knowing Yourself is The Ultimate Reward For Solitude
Probably the best thing that finding a little solitude will give you is a much deeper understanding of yourself. What makes you happy? What makes you sad? You will find the things that make you smile, and the things that break your heart.
There are many things that people like to do with others and you need to have contact with many people to be a well rounded individual. But I also think that it is important to find moments of pure solitude so that you understand what parts of yourself you have to offer to others.
So challenge yourself to find some moments of solitude, and to think original thoughts that are yours and yours alone. All of those in your life will appreciate you and your unique thoughts more than you can imagine. Give it a try.
Quotes on Solitude:
“Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character.” ~James Russell Lowell
” Arranging a bowl of flowers in the morning can give a sense of quiet in a quiet in a crowded day—-like writing a poem or saying a prayer. What matters is that one be for a time inwardly attentive.” ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh
“Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose.” ~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
“In solitude we give passionate attention to our lives, to our memories, to the details around us.” ~ Virginia Woolf
‘In meditation it is possible to dive deeper into the mind to a place where there is no disturbance and there is absolute solitude. It is at this point in the profound stillness that the sound of the mind can be heard.” ~A.E.I. Falconar
“O Solitude, the soul’s best friend, That man acquainted with himself dost make.” ~Charles Cotton
“Solitude is the nurse of enthusiasm, and enthusiasm is the true parent of genius.” ~ Isaac D’Israeli
“One of the pleasantest things in the world is going on a journey; but I like to go by myself.” ~William Hazlitt
“I am sure of this, that by going much alone a man will get more of a noble courage in thought and word than from all the wisdom that is in books.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
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This reminds me so strongly of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. I can still picture the gruesome scene when the main character’s wife gets her stomach pumped because she tried to kill herself (again), and all so she could go back to the constant bombardment of room-sized video screens and radio ear buds the very next day. Sometimes I wonder where Bradbury was hiding his crystal ball . . .
That is a great comparison. I think that people are afraid to be alone because they would have no choice but to get to know themselves, and perhaps they are worried about what they will learn.
Amazing what Ray Bradbury predicted. I hope you find a moment of two of solitude for yourself today! I am grateful for your comment and the fact you took a moment to think about what I wrote. 
“As our society has evolved to produce more and more entertainment for people to enjoy, the moments available for actual individual, creative thought have become few and far between.” I know it’s not how you meant it, but the irony here is that by reading your insightful blogs, taking entertainment from them, I am losing those moments where I could have otherwise been doing my own creative thinking.
It is a problem. How can I work on my own writing when I’m reading blogs and books and watching movies (for my Friday posts) and watching TV and listening to music 24 hours a day and all the other constant bombardments of media that are thrown at us every single day. Sometimes I choose to unplug, step away and revel in the solitude and quiet that distancing myself from all of that brings. This is one of the reasons I so enjoy my two weeks in the summer – one week spent camping and one week spent backpacking. I need more than just those two weeks though, of course. We all need more than that to stop and reflect, to work our imaginations, to work our minds…
It is a bit of irony that I was writing about bombardment on a forum that is actually bombarding.
Never even thought of that, now I find that very funny. Sorry to distract you from your pursuit of original thought. You seem to be doing pretty good in that category.
For me in the past I didn’t even notice that there was a constant distraction. I think it distracts from the ability to be creative and as you say work our imaginations. I am glad that you took the time to be distracted today!
Always happy to be distracted by your site, JD.
I’ve been MIA from wordpress and come back to find this awesome post! Just last night I was talking about how there is an epidemic in my generation of people not wanting to grow up. They spend about 7 years as undergrads and spring break like they are still in high school. In fact I know someone who is close to 30 years of age, still spring breaks, in and out of school, still goes out every night to party, and seems to hang out with people far younger than himself. I see this a lot and just wonder if I’m the one doing something wrong by seeking solitude and quiet. You have lived through the party phase and the growing up phase, what do you think, are the 20s for partying and living it up or can we seek something else at this age?
OK Raimy-D. asking me for my opinion is opening up for a long response! So just remember you asked. I personally love to tell people I like what I think so this is a win, win for me.
I really think you are doing great and have shown your own unique talent in your writing. You are an intelligent and thoughtful person, there is nothing wrong with that. Your authentic self will take you toward what you like. I encourage you whole heartedly to be the best Raimy- D. A wise person once told me, you are exactly where you should be, it would be impossible to be anywhere else. I am not sure of the validity to this, but I have always found it true.
I definitely lived through the twenties in a haze. Most people in their 20′s aren’t thinking like you, looking for their authentic selves. I certainly was not. I was looking for fun. I was in college until mid twenties and then started working, but the world revolved around drinking and partying. I am sure that like all things in life there are phases you have to go through, like going through adolescence before you become an adult. Some do it quicker than others some never make it. There are always going to be 30 year olds clinging to their youth, because life scares them. That is their path. One of the hardest lessons I learned was my path is not the right path for everyone it is only right for me. I can’t judge or worry about where other people are. I have offered help and guidance before and been ignored because they were not ready or did not want the advice I had to offer. I look at some people who are my age and see them acting like they are your age. I try not to judge, but wonder what needs are being met there.
Anyway I think that it will be different for everybody. Your path is unique and your own. I have often said how impressed I am that you are where you are at. I was a mess at that age. You have to do what you think is right for you. You will know it if you are happy doing it.
Well thanks for such a thoughtful response, as always Jonathan. I see what you mean, we all have different journeys to make. Sometimes I wonder if I could go back to an earlier time with what I know now, but then I think that I shouldn’t regret anything in my journey thus far because I wouldn’t be who I am today. The notion of being exactly where we are supposed to be is actually so appealing to me, I have no physical proof but somehow it just feel right. It makes me feel like I shouldn’t force anything or rush anything because somehow if I keep following my creative urges I’ll get to where I’m supposed to go. It takes a whole lot of trust and giving up that urge to control everything, a little hard sometimes though
I think that you are right! You are exactly where you are supposed to be.
Don’t worry if it seems hard, because we all want to push our way right through and get there quicker. Trust your gut, you have good instincts.
This might make for a great post!
Tremendous Idea! I will try today. Some ideas work flawlessly while others take some time in the draft file. I am going to give it a go. As always, you are a great creative guru!!
Great post, Jon. I found that I became a lot more aware since I disconnected the cable television. I spend a lot more time in solitude. At first I felt sorry for myself, but now I realize that this time is essential. Thank you for reminding me of how blessed I am to spend time alone. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
You are a brave man to disconnect the cable. One of the lingering problems is television. I think because of the way we were raised. It was always a part of your life. You never even questioned it. So now with more and more channels available not to mention netflix and video games and movies and on and on. There are just so many distractions. I think some is ok like any entertainment, moderation is good. I learn a lot from some shows and sometimes I just need some mindless entertainment. Alone times with your thoughts though are essential to growth, I think. It is already hard enough to listen to your true self, when you ad a bunch of distractions it is more difficult. thank you for reminding me that I should be grateful for the quiet times when they come, I do get to think and expand my mind.
Thanks for commenting Brother Kozo, have a great weekend with the family!!
Thank you for the wonderful reminder and thought-provoking quotes. I enjoy having my thoughts provoked.
Russ
I enjoy a good provoking myself Russ!
Thanks Russ for stopping by, reading and taking the time to comment. I am glad that you feel your thoughts were provoked.
Hope you stop on by again!!