Getting acquainted with silence

I came down to the beach early this morning to have the beach alone. I was surprised to discover that many others had my same plan. Already at 7am 20 people had gathered, one to surf, and others to run in the cool breeze before the sun came up. Me? I found a swing chair outside the restaurant overlooking the ocean and rocked back and forward listening to the crash of the waves as I gently brought myself into the day. 

Spending so much time in cities in India affirmed my love of silence. I love to hear nothing more than the natural sound of birdsong, the ocean roar or childsplay. In the last home i made, I would remove the curtains, sleep on a mattress in the living room floor, in front of the glass windows so that when I awoke I could indulge a lazy hour observing the branches of the beautiful eucalyptus tree dancing as the birds sang the day into existence. Total silence is something I enjoy so much that before I would sleep in the living room I would even turn the refrigerator off overnight so I don't have to hear it hum. 

Despite not finding myself alone at the beach, the roar of the waves was loud enough to drown out any other sounds. I was glad I rose from my bed, eyes shut at 6;10 and took a cab at 6.30 to enjoy these quiet precious moments of morning before the sun makes it too hot to stay out.

This summer has surprised me in being the quietest summer I have ever had on the island. Summers are usually a buzz of pool parties and open mic nights, but this year I find myself alone aside from the dinners I have with those I live with. It felt like something was wrong, it "should" be more exciting. Until it struck me that the universe had distinctly responded to my call. I had been so disturbed by the constant bombardment of traffic noise in India, I prayed for peace and quiet. The Universe gave me exactly what I craved, and yet my first response was-this is not a "normal" summer. Where are all my friends?

Maybe this exquisite solitude away from the noise of friends' dramas is the perfect opportunity to become acquainted with solitude, to embrace the peace and quiet, the freedom to declutter all noise, maybe to let the friends who have not reached out since I got back to fall away.

Time to pause and question what kind of energy I allow into my life. As I am more mindful of what I consume into my body, it's also important to reflect on what kind of energy I bring to my life with the friends I surround myself with. Who do I want more of? Who do I want less of?