When I think about what I'm grateful for, the usual things always come to mind: my health, a place to live, a great husband, family, friends… You've probably thought of some the same things at one point or another.
But today as I was driving home from work I listened to NPR's noontime 'Fresh Air' show, which was all about the 'Sonic Wonders of the World'. The interviewee was an acoustic engineer, Trevor Cox, who has traveled the world studying sound phenomenons and recording sounds that most people never hear in their lifetime.
As they played these sound recordings over the radio I realized I had a big open-mouthed grin on my face. I was so rapt at the sound of bearded seals underneath the arctic ice and tadpoles nibbling on the hydrophone (the underwater microphone), the sound of sand 'singing' in the desert, and the sound of a gunshot with and without reverberation or echo.
It was all amazing!
And then it occurred to me how disappointed I would be if I couldn't hear these sounds and had to sit next to someone who could - assuming they had a big stupid grin on their face like I did.
So, today I am grateful for the fact that I have all my senses - the ability to see, hear, feel, taste, and smell. Can you imagine what life would be like without one of these? I know there are people who live without one or more - all the more reason to appreciate them and be grateful while I've got them!
These are the kinds of deep thoughts you can have when you drive 40 minutes to and from work along quiet country roads. Another blessing! ;)
If you're interested in listening to the forty-minute Fresh Air program and hearing the sounds for yourself, you can find it here: http://www.npr.org/2014/02/19/279628642/one-mans-quest-to-find-the-sonic-wonders-of-the-world
I like this post a lot!
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