The other day I received an email challenging me to think about my hearing and asking when I last focused my gratitude on sound. It struck a chord with me because I am actually quite sensitive to sounds. As someone who cringes at loud noises, regularly craves silence yet revels in the most pleasant sounds - from music to nature - I felt compelled to really think about this topic. 

As I sit here, I’m thankfulfor for the silence of my home after weeks of nonstop events, meetings and social gatherings. The sound of occasional trucks accelerating outside reminds me that there is a world outside my window. I’m thankfulfor for the lack of construction noise which drove me crazy last summer. I’ve also heard no sirens today which is always a good thing. 

According to Hear the World, 16% of the world’s population is affected by hearing loss. Do you know anyone affected? I do. So today my focus is on appreciating my favorite sounds.

Waves crashing on the shore or just lapping against the beach. Both are equally soothing to me. And thinking about the beach reminds me of laying in the sand - if you put your ear to the ground and scratch your fingers or toes into the sand, you can hear it loudly vibrate through the ground. I haven’t been to the beach in a while but I can hear the sound in my head, with the sound of gulls flying by. I guess they go together.

Music of all sorts. Classical instruments like piano, guitar, violin, horns. When the clock gets close to around 6 or 7pm, I’ll start hunting for songs I’m in the mood for… some days it’s all folksy and jamming, others it’s more classical. I love that some songs can take me back to a time and place. There are songs that can instantly lift my spirits - others that can make me cry. 

The sound of my family’s voices… friends too. Yesterday I had a special lunch with a longtime girlfriend and last night I heard another friend’s voice from California through my phone. Hearing their voices is like coming home. And tonight I look forward to hearing my partner sing to me - in a whisper or at the top of his lungs in the car. I’ll take either.

It’s easy for me to forget the sounds of nature from the concrete jungle that is my neighborhood. But it’s here and when I open my door I can hear the wind in the trees, birds chirping, dogs barking. The other day I heard the whoosh of the sky opening up to sheets of rain and some low rumbling thunder. I love all of those sounds.

Now I hear my tea kettle whistling - so as I go pour myself some tea, I open it up to you to consider your hearing… what sounds are you most grateful for?  Post your thoughts in your own personal (and free) journal at http://thankfulfor.com.

And consider entering the Hear the World photo competition by taking a photo of yourself or someone else in the “conscious pose of hearing” as seen in my pics above. You can win a Polaroid 300, iTunes gift cards and even get published in Hear the World magazine.