If you listen closely to the sound of cars rushing on a highway, you might notice how similar the sound is to the sound of waves crashing by the shores of your favorite beach. It’s the whitest noise you’ll ever hear, the kind that puts you right to sleep.
If you listen closely enough to the sound of waves crashing on a beach, you might notice its similarity to the sound of trees dancing to the wind in a dense forest—or garden, even. Leaves clap to the breeze, as if rejoicing in its awaited arrival.
If you listen closely to the soundsof leaves rustling in the wind, you might notice its likeness to the sound of a long exhale. Rainforests are called the “lungs of the earth” for an entirely different reason, but I prefer this lesser known one.
If we listen closely to the sounds of our breathing, we might notice, the weight on our shoulders is only as heavy as the pressure we place on them. We might notice that our fists are clenched and our face muscles are all tight. Around us are other sounds harmonizing to our inhales and exhales—the world speaks to us. We might notice, there is silence behind the noise. There is calm right beneath the tension.