Life Without Noise

A certain peace

I have written before about how safe Portugal is. And I have commented on the fact that I no longer watch or read news commentary for four to five hours a day. But I have realized there is a third element to my newfound peace…when you live a life without noise.

Safety

Portugal ranked third in the World Population Review annual report.

Portugal comes in third in the most peaceful countries rankings. In 2014, Portugal was ranked 18th globally and has since made huge strides to be ranked third. Unlike Iceland and New Zealand, Portugal has armed police; however, it seems that an increased police presence has resulted in a decreased crime rate in the country. In the past six years, Portugal has made an economic resurgence, decreasing its unemployment rate from over 17% to under 7%. Due in large part to its level of safety, Portugal is ranked as the best country for retirement in 2020 according to the Annual Global Retirement Index. — World Population Review

Only Iceland, with a population of 340,00, and New Zealand whose government immediately responded to the Christchurch attacks ranked higher. But to be fair, the rankings reflect the factors considered which include ongoing international and domestic conflict, societal safety and security, and militarization. So without a strong military presence and a culture that respects rules and order as well as family and community ties…it is no wonder Portugal scores so high.

So while I enjoy the fact that I feel like I can walk the streets alone at midnight, over the past few weeks I have realized there is more than this to the peace I enjoy.

Filling Your Mind

I wrote before about how my mental health improved when I stopped filling it with news commentary. I can’t recall the last time I turned on CNN. From time to time I will watch an excerpt of Nicole or Rachel on YouTube…but I rarely complete a 5-minute episode. I have decided I know how it is going to come out.

[But of course, I am not perfect! As I am writing this the indictments in NY are being unsealed. I suspect I will spend some time later today catching up on that news. Editor’s Note: I did. As I have watched too many white-collar criminals get a slap on the wrist…I fear I know how this is going to come out.]

Lack of Language Comprehension

But over the past two weeks, I have come to the realization that my lack of Portuguese language skills…particularly comprehensive has provided a quietness amidst the noise. I don’t know if it is a male thing or a Portuguese male thing…but they tend to speak loudly and with great enthusiasm. Maybe it is just that the male voice carries further…I am not sure.

However, when you don’t have a clue what they are talking about it becomes a type of white noise.

In signal processing, white noise is a random signal having equal intensity at different frequencies, giving it a constant power spectral density. — Wikipedia

Similarly, there are the children currently playing in the schoolyard across the street. Their screeches and songs fill the air. Much higher-pitched than the groups of men but equally as loud…it doesn’t disturb me. It is my own personal, no-cost, sound machine.