As much as I love music and television and movies, in recent years, I have rediscovered the joy of silence.

Silence is a rare commodity nowadays. Some people have turn on the tv or radio or ipod the second they awaken. (Some people leave the tv or radio on while they sleep.) There's always noise. Something to distract us from our own thoughts and reflections. Even when we aren't watching or listening consciously, there's still background noise.

Lately I've been trying to make it a point to turn off media when I'm not actively consuming it. If I want to listen to music, I listen. But I don't just have it playing as I go about my day. I only turn the tv on when I want to watch. If I'm not paying attention, the off button is right there.

Now, there are times I let my music be a backing track. I like to clean and run to music. It keeps my spirits up and helps me keep a good pace. But I am trying not to treat sound as an essential element and an afterthought — simultaneously.

Do you enjoy silence or avoid it? How do you manage the noise in our world?