Little steps in life

if (love == selfless && partner > self)

      System.get.married;

else

      System.out.println("You are not mature enough!");

Oh yes.....the very awkward moment when all stop and the cliche cricket chirps in the background with the drop of a penny ringing in everyone's ears.  Does anyone else find themselves having to break the awkward silence? I feel exhausted because I'm trying to think 2 steps ahead to keep the conversation going whilst maintaining the delicate balance between self absorbed and inquisitive. I feel like I am tittering on the edge of a cliff and as soon as I begin to fall I feel this release of tension, but then I realise I'm falling and that's when the awkward silence sets in.  Perhaps small chatter is the answer, but I feel like I'm stuck in a cliche: Me: "Hey that's an awesome phone case. I love the red." Newly met: "Um thanks, got it in Hong Kong." Me: "Cool!" Cricket: Chirp, chirp, chirp... I have come to realise that silence is analogous with loneliness in our society. We are creatures in search of a soul mate and our society is more interconnected and adrenaline driven than ever. Cars give us the ability to move swiftly through our lives not taken a moment to stop and think. We are afraid of being left behind alone to die in the shadow of others. In this world of locomotion accelerating away from us at a startling pace, we must remember that silence is a moment to think, a rare moment to breathe, a moment to sigh and reflect upon how wondrous this world is. It's  ephemeral, a time to absorb the creativity we are surrounded by. Silence is beautiful and I believe Monet with his impressionistic work represents this resolve and appreciation far better than I ever will with words. Please do take the time to look and feel this amazing stillness descend and fill your heart with calmness. Let your palette be cleansed and your mind be rejuvenated.

Unconfirmed reports suggest at least 10,000 people are dead in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan.