SILENCE PLEASE
THERE ARE MOMENTS IN MY LIFE THAT I ENJOY just being quiet. No noise. Just dream time, sometimes with my eyes closed, other times with my eyes wide open but my mind trying to relax and just be. Or sometimes I stop and think and just stare out into the distance and switch off. When I was younger I would have the radio on, music blaring, earplugs in, but these days I like to find moments when there is no noise at all and it’s just me enjoying the moment.
The photo above is of me out on a day trip with the team from Silver Fern Farms to meet the Hay family – you can read my story in the food section. They live at North Otago, at Springback farm, just out of Oamaru. The Hays took us out to the beautiful coastal property they lease.
It was one of the last photographs of the day, there was a slight wind, and a spectacular view stretched out across a gorgeous coastline. For a few short, grabbed moments, I turned away from the group and looked out to the view, watching the sun dance across the ocean as I stood with my head raised up into the sun and wind, and closed my eyes.
I thought to myself, ‘Just cherish this moment’. It was fleeting. Before I knew it, I was back directing the photo I was keen to get, making sure family members were smiling and all the surrounding stock were walking in unison. In time, we said our goodbyes to everyone and I was soon back in the car and returning to the airport to make my flight home.
When I think of that day, I remember the great gingerbread loaf that Jo Hay made. She gave me the recipe – I’ve since used it, and it’s delicious.
I think of Ross and Jo’s three young children who made me laugh and were lots of fun and had boundless energy – but it’s also that small grabbed moment of absolute bliss that I think of. Perhaps it’s a bit sad I had to travel so far away to grab a moment in time that relaxed me. Working in the city, it’s sometimes difficult to find those moments.
Of course, getting out of the city is exactly what we’re doing in this edition’s Cruise Special – the largest we have ever run, which sees us pull together a very different line-up of cruise experiences.
With the growth in polar and expedition journeys, we wanted to showcase a range of cruise options to the world’s ice-covered regions. From luxurious getaways where you sail to the ends of the Earth in ultimate
“Perhaps it’s a bit sad that I had to travel so far away to grab a moment in time that was relaxed.”
comfort, to high-adrenaline adventures in the untamed wilderness, we’ve got your options covered – having sent travel journalists to both polar cap regions to report back on their very different journeys.
Looking at the stories on Antarctica in particular, it struck me how this is one of the last pristine environments we have left – where you can actually escape the tourist crowds and have a quiet moment to yourself.
It prompted me to think about the pure state of silence and so I commissioned Rob Seizer to write about all the different states of silence. In today’s world, it often feels like we are surrounded by noise that never ends. If we can just tune out now and then and embrace the silence and enjoy that quiet moment, I am sure we are all better for it. Try it … you might just enjoy the silence.
Cat Rodie writes about a new theme creeping into our culture, bought on by the rise of social media: ‘toxic positivity’ (‘Happy or Hurting’). I’d never heard the phrase before, but as Cat shared more about it I realised not only had I been on the receiving end of toxic positivity, I’d also engaged in it. While the sentiments being expressed in comments like “Things always work out for the best!” and “Think positive!” appear to be positive, they can actually undermine our own mental health, confusing being happy with the ability to apply a positive mindset.
Many examples of toxic positivity are actually just shallow or simplistic sayings that gloss over dealing with life’s ups and downs. Perhaps it’s because we aren’t quite sure what to say in certain circumstances (finding the right words can certainly be hard) – or perhaps at times we just don’t have time to stop and listen and care? Just being aware is the first step in creating healthier relationships.
Being alone with our thoughts and present to ourselves can at times be uncomfortable and confronting – but maybe we need to get more comfortable with being uncomfortable? Just being silent at times, for me anyway, is the best solution to a life filled with noise. Find and enjoy your own silence, you might just find it’s those moments you enjoy and remember the most.
Michael McHugh
Editor-in-chief michael@mindfood.com Instagram@mindfoodmike