HOLIDAYS are generally quieter times, especially in lifestyle villages.
With residents off on holidays or visiting relatives, groundsmen on their break, maybe the manager away, altogether it’ a very quiet time for a lot of those residing in the many villages around the country.
Thinking back to the 70s, or reminiscing, I should say, we used to camp on Fraser Island (now named K’gari) back of the dunes, a secluded campsite towards the top end of the island.
There was little activity except the waves crashing onto the beach, 4x4s working their way up the soft sand, and the occasional mournful drone of a single- engine plane, wending its way to its destination somewhere on the mainland.
A peaceful, quiet reflection of that time.
But one Christmas not that long ago, we travelled to Sydney and went with all the family for a picnic at a park on the harbour foreshore.
Well, this was completely the opposite. There were kids shouting and playing, boats everywhere, helicopter overhead, sea planes landing and taking off, and not that far away, traffic noise, sirens, horns blaring. City life!
As we grow older, life naturally slows down, and in this gradual deceleration we find something profoundly valuable – silence.
Most seniors find this is not just an absence of noise, it’s a presence, a comforting companion that gives us peace, reflection and a deep sense of contentment.
There is an incredible power in embracing silence.
Silence in the elderly allows for creativity and wisdom. To know when to talk and when to listen. Silence allows us to see the deeper truths of life.
Solitude (often mistaken for loneliness ) should be welcomed, as it allows one to contemplate one’s needs, self care and listen to ways that have been neglected in the past.
Silence for many of us is just a pause from the noise of life. To others, it’s a gift, that often takes some time to get comfortable with.
There are times when the silence is too loud, and other times when it should be cherished.
In the world of silence, there is a richness waiting to be discovered, a time to dwell on future actions.
As we go on our life’s journey, the need for constant conversation is diminished, and great comfort can be had with silence being just as powerful as words.
Ageing is one of the most significant changes we can go through, and with it comes a host of changes, particularly health changes.
This silence can allow us to see our way through these challenging periods. In this silence we can confront our fears and see more clearly a way forward, without the trappings of guilt that might otherwise have impeded our feelings.
Embrace ageing, look forward to the future, look forward to the things you want to accomplish in your lifetime.
You may be surprised how this simple shift, this change of heart, can make you feel and act younger.
