Importance of silence

Reflection on this past month

It's coming to the end of April! April showers bring May flowers -- as they usually say. What I'm seeing is more showers + flurries. Never in my life would I have imagined that it would snow almost in May! Back in Vancouver, it was mostly just rain with the occasional sun that would pop out. 

--- I really do miss the rain. I'd love to just work while it's thunderstorming outside. I want to feel like I'm forced indoors, in a cozy environment drinking my warm mocha, while programming or just writing away. 

Life this past month has been exciting! I've been going out more, taking on more things to do in both my personal life and work life, and overall just trying to put myself out there. Life is becoming colourful again. Meeting new people, making new friends, and getting new perspectives on life. I found myself starting to have random chitchat with strangers these days. Whether it's to feel a sense of connectedness, or just a friendly gesture, I'm not sure myself. But it does make me feel better in that I now at least know another person in the elevator -- and that they aren't just some stranger. Whether it's to ask how their day has gone or just to talk about the weather. I find that people have a lot to say -- and nobody to say it to.

Some things that I've been thinking about this past month

It's more important to be interested than interesting.

This is extremely important in conversations -- especially with people you might not be familiar with initially. It doesn't matter if you haven't flown to the moon and back, nor is it important that you solved world hunger. To have a meaningful conversation with anybody, it's even more important to be interested in what the other person has to say. Genuinely. I can't stress that enough. Be genuine about being interested, and the rest will follow.

Being genuine

This applies to just all walks of life. Be honest, be genuine. If you aren't, others can tell. I was given this advice by one of my friends a long time ago, and I didn't know what it meant. Nowadays though, I realize for me at least, it's come to this: think about why I am doing something. If I don't know why I'm doing something, then I'm not being genuine. 

Importance of silence

I used to listen to songs, podcasts, or even audiobooks when I went out anywhere. Whether that was for walks, on bike rides, or on my commute to work. I'd plug in my earbuds at any chance I got. However, recently I realized that I needed time to think. When I had those things plugged in, I couldn't stop and clear my mind. So for this past month, I've stopped tuning in while outside. The outcome for me is that it has really helped me in not only my thinking skills but also my interpersonal skills. I can listen to other people talk while also participating in some chitchat when it happens. Although I do feel like sometimes I'm missing out on my favourite podcasts or audiobooks, I find that it's even more important to think than to just blindly consume media like I've been doing for the past couple of years.

Closing

That's basically it for this month! Let's see what the future brings :)

-- Omar T.

Rideau Canal, looking towards Parliament