Hi you, 

Do you ever do this thing where you zone out of listening to distinguish words to just letting the sounds of conversation wash over you? Not a great idea in an active conversation, but if free from obligation I find it soothing in the energy of a room filled with people.

The other day I was in a small (ish) room with a large (ish) number of people and as I had the opportunity, sat there and listened to the sounds as a whole instead of parts. I discovered an ocean.

To the side were the larger waves crashing over the break line of the surf in passionate discussion. The boom of distant breakers sounded further on, where the talk became more of a gentle roar. Nearby gentler rushes of water came whispering up in small groups to the tide line. All around the talk ebbed, flowed, surged high, and withdrew. 

It struck me that in its own right, it's as majestic as the ocean. So many minds and thoughts gathered to commune with one another; the collective power of it was great. How sad it would be if we all stayed cooped up in our heads, it would be like a water-less ocean; all the beautiful life that exists in the saltwater would lie dead and bleached dry by the sun. 

I'm awed by this incredible ability of ours to talk. Whether stormy, whether serene, whether rippled by groups of tiny fish or broken by the massive whale. Sometimes colorful with the variety of the coral reef, or still and blue; deep in the heart of conversation. Sometimes with the sting of a jellyfish or brush of a warmer, friendlier current. 

I'm honored to get to participate in something so much bigger than I can ever scope, or explore. 

It's exciting to be human! 

L. Raine

P.S. If you try this out sometime, let me know how it affects you. All it takes is a room full of people and changing the way you listen. -L.R.