I don't know how often I appreciate silence anymore. With classes, work, and a girlfriend, all of my time is occupied and silence isn't a huge part of my life. The only time I really get to myself and be silent is in the morning, and that's only if my roommates aren't awake at the same time. Back in the day when I wasn't as busy, I would often times meditate and try to clear my mind. There is not enough credit given to how calming/relaxing meditating can be. I feel as if it's a very important practice and am pretty bummed I haven't made time for it since classes have begun. My happiest moment involves silence. I was standing on a narrow ridge in Arches National Park, it was the highest part of the trail. I almost got upset with I heard anyone speaking because it felt as if that person was soiling the pureness of that place. Silence is necessary, it's the yan to the yin that is the constant noise we're surrounded by. I believe it's important to sustain a healthy relationship between the two in order to remain sane.