Scotch Mist And Early Mornings.

We all need a break from the din of every day life. A quiet moment to catch our breath and simply be.

It was a misty morning here in Florida and so very quiet. Heavy mist will do that.

I remember pea soupers from my childhood. You couldn’t see a thing in front of your feet, magnified by the late afternoon darkness making it oh so eerie and I loved it. At four in the afternoon, at this time of year in Scotland, it was dark and I used to beg to be sent to tell my grandma’s neighbour that the tea was ready. Grandma didn’t believe in phones.

I loved the muffled sound of my feet on the pavement and the street lamps casting an unearthly orange glow through the fog. Everything was shrouded in mystery and I was in a quiet, solitary world. Just me and the fog.

Childhood memories aside, I was in a quiet world on my walk today. There wasn’t quite a fog, it was more like scotch mist, which is a Scottish euphemism for very light, soft rain. Typical Scottish understatement.

No bird song, no dogs barking, not even the sound of the cars from the nearby highway. Not even too many fellow walkers to wish me good morning.

The challenge of silence

I was enveloped in a hush that got me thinking of how seldom my life is totally quiet and wondering what a toll it took on us all, that constant din of white noise from our electronics or simply the general din which assails us daily. It’s a challenge to be anywhere and have perfect quiet.

Noise is everywhere.

I recently learned that there’s no place to be found in Britain today where the dawn chorus can be recorded without ambient noise. How sad. I love the dawn chorus it’s so…heartening and uplifting to my spirit. I’m grateful that I have an old recording of the dawn chorus even though it prompts my Darling One to remark “Birds in the house again.”

Here’s a little sample for you to enjoy.

Being at peace

Busyness and noise surround us. Even from within.

There are times when it’s the inner bellow of our thoughts, our monkey mind forever chattering. What shall I do? How will it work? Can I really do that? Who do you think you are?

Have you ever wondered what all this inner and outer noise is doing to our bodies and souls? I did today.

I’d like to tell you I have an answer but I’m sorry…I don’t. Maybe you do?

What I can tell you is that in the quiet hush this morning I felt great peace. My mind was as still as the world around me. Maybe that’s an answer in and of itself?

Be kind to each other.

Elle.

Photos: Foggy Old England by spratmackrel.