The word “noise” comes from a Latin root meaning “queasiness” or “pain.” You’ll find no argument from me on this. I have worked in noisy environments most of my life. All day, every day, there is the chatter of people on phones or with each other—sometimes loud, other times whispering. I’m not sure which is worse! Then, there is the steady click, click, click…. of the keyboards. Bottom line, it’s exhausting. And I won't go into my years working on the ramp of the world's busiest airport.
Born in 1820, social reformer, statistician, and creator of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale found that, “Unnecessary noise is the cruelest absence of care that can be inflicted on sick or well.” She went on to say it can kill sick people. I BELIEVE! Nightingale also identified “sudden noises” as a cause of death among sick children. Ridiculous?
Recent research supports some of Nightingale’s zealous claims. In the mid 20th century, epidemiologists discovered correlations between high blood pressure and chronic noise sources like highways and airports. (I told you this job was killing me!)
This hatched the 1960s-era term “noise pollution,” implying noises are toxic and cause cumulative side effects. I have personally found this to be true as well.
We like silence; and that alone should make us wonder why. When Nightingale attacked noise she also insisted: “Quiet is as essential for patients as medication or sanitation.” It was amazingly advanced thinking and observation for her time. As for me, sick or well, I call it, “taking my chill pill.” And it is absolutely essential for my mental and physical health.
Flo was ahead of her time about many things. Modern research finds that two-minute silent pauses are documented as far more relaxing than either “relaxing” music or medication. I don’t want you to get lost in a lot of research talk, so let me get to the point.
I often joke (sort of) that I feel my brain cells die during work hours. And now we know that silence actually helps us GROW brain cells! In silence, even brief moments of quiet, we think more profoundly and are able to find better resolutions to problems.
We SHOULD know this as God reminds us to stop our activity with words like, quiet, stop fretting, listen, rest—even He ‘rested’ after creating the world. . . remember?
Get away from all the noise you can; embrace the quiet when you can.
Habakkuk's famous words tell us plainly: “The Lord is in His Holy temple (that would be us); keep SILENCE before Him.” The psalmist (Ps 131) sings a three-verse ditty that ends, “You too should quietly trust in the Lord—now and always.”
And just before we put this topic to bed, let me suggest one more thing: Along with all that has been learned about the importance of quietness, do you suppose there could be benefits for resting, being quiet, that even scientists don’t understand? Why not pause a couple of minutes and think about that?
© March, 2019 mypericope.com
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