The Soundtrack of Life
In the last year or so I’ve been listening to scores of podcasts and as many books on Audible. Any time in the car, even twenty minutes to the grocery, I’m listening to Tolkien or Wendell Berry or a history of Mexico, ahead of our fall trip there. Washing dishes and cleaning up the house after dinner, watering the pots and plants, weeding gardens, anytime I’ve got more or less mindless work to do—the buds go in my ears and in stream podcasts like On Being, Nomad, Another Name for Everything.
At the time, it seemed like a great idea. Empty time could be redeemed, washing dishes could be fun, the more I knew about more things, the smarter and more knowledgeable I would become. I didn’t think of myself as a multitasker. That was someone eating lunch at their desk while typing a report and pretending participation in a conference call. I don’t even go to an office anymore.
Besides, all the content I was listening to was really good. It was mind-opening, intriguing, inspiring. How else was I going to find time to take all this good stuff in?
After months and hundreds of earbud hours, however, I noticed I was feeling slightly unsettled. Abstract anxiety was creeping in again. I was fidgety, more critical, less observant.Then one Sunday afternoon I read a piece about technology and multitasking. Only about ten percent of people, the article said, could perform multiple tasks simultaneously without losing productivity. The vast rest of us just got less effective. I realized that was me. I wasn’t concerned so much with productivity or effectiveness. I just wanted to be fully awake and aware in whatever moment I found myself, because, I was finding, not to be in that place was a spiritual health hazard. I didn’t feel good.
It took a while to put my mind into ‘mindless’ tasks again. It felt odd washing a pot, pulling a weed, or driving in traffic without someone exciting talking in my ear. At first it was like a silent movie, until silence gradually awakened the simple, beautiful soundtrack of everyday life. After a few weeks I noticed that I was, well—happier. That’s all.
I don’t think others need to do what I’ve done. There are hundreds of ways to wake up to life.
I’ve found that when I try to do two or more things at once, they’ll get done – but I won’t find meaning in any of it. The older I get, the more I prefer taking a little extra time and enjoying each for its own sake.
It does have something to do with aging and the need to attend to this time now–and I like your sense of finding the meaning in things–could all these ‘mindless’ things have meaning? And the answer seems to keep coming back–yes, with time and attention.
Exactly.
And the earbuds hurt after a while anyway….
Ha!
I just assumed when you run you’re supposed to wear AirPods because everyone does. I have strange shaped earholes apparently so the AirPods would always fall out which was highly annoying. So I stopped using them. And I have enjoyed running so much more since. And anyone that comes into contact with me knows I can’t multi-task!
Tons of people run to a playlist, and that’s so good. That’s why I wanted to say at the end–I don’t think everyone needs to do this. But hey, if your earholes are a little funny, then yeah–ditch the pods!
“ There are hundreds of ways to wake up to life.” Thank you for this invitation. That’s what I desire to do, with God’s help.
There are so many different paths, because God has created us all so incredibly different.
David, I am so with you on this one. The only exception for me would be driving in the car. I find listening to books on tape while driving in the car very rewarding. But like Matt I have funny shaped your holes also. Air buds fall out of my ears also. So when I walk, I usually just listen to the sounds of nature.
Ear holes🙄
I have never been able to concentrate on anything with sound on. My dissertation was a dramatic illustration of that. I need total silence or my mind simply starts wandering … not a good thing when writing up your research findings!
Same for me—I love music (as I know you do) but as many times as I’ve tried, I can’t get anything creative done with music going on.
I find that there is a peacefulness in silence that refreshes my soul & makes me more aware of my surroundings. There is a comfort in silence because then it is just me & Jesus. That’s all & that’s all I need in that special moment in time!
“Then it is just me and Jesus”—that’s a great ad for silence!
What a great reminder, David. Many times we’re uncomfortable in the empty spaces and try to fill each crack with more knowledge or entertainment. I remember Mom often saying, “Let’s just have it quiet”!
So true—often, silence is a struggle, and then if we can just let it be for a time…it’s all right, and then delicious.