From the Shores of the Ottawa River

April 30^th,2025   The lights WENT  OUT in OTTAWA,ONTARIO

The power was restored for 5 minutes in the morning. It then went off again for hours until 8:30 PM. This experience made me realize how much I take It for granted.

Nevertheless, without power, I rediscovered the joy in reading a book the old-fashioned way. I did this without any electronic devices. I had to stop reading when it got dark. I also took the time to move furniture in the bedroom earlier in the afternoon.

During an increasingly noisy world, silence has become a rare and precious commodity, that we have forgotten.  

But when the electricity goes off, it is silent. There is no constant hum of appliances and technology. The barrage of notifications is absent. They often drown out the subtler sounds of existence.

Yet, yesterday, the absence of electricity brought with it an unexpected gift: silence. It was as though the world paused, allowing room for reflection, for breaths to deepen,  and for meditation.

Silence is not merely the absence of sound; it is a canvas on which clarity can be painted. It fosters mindfulness, cultivates inner peace, and reconnects us to the rhythms of nature and ourselves. The lack of noise, even for a short while, can heighten our appreciation for the nuances of life. We notice the whisper of the wind and enjoy the distant chirping of birds. These moments of calm serve as a counterbalance to the hectic pace of modernity. They remind us that with the clamor, serenity still exists.  After a moment, I welcomed it.

Indeed, I am grateful for the modern conveniences. These include flushing the toilet, cooking, and boiling water. I also appreciate texting, phoning, and even going on social media.

These everyday conveniences often go unnoticed. Nevertheless, they play such an important role in our life. Like our breath, we can’t live without it. that said, electricity affects many parts of our daily routines. It is vital from the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed. It enables us to stay connected, and informed. Without it, we are reminded of its crucial role in modern life. At the same time, it takes us away from a part of life that is more meaningful. That is to be aware.

I grew up without electricity and indoor plumbing, April 30th reminded me of that time, and how wonderful it was. We were happy children. We were never bored. We read books and comics. But, we mostly explored the hills. We walked to the Wiley ‘point lake to swim in lake Athabasca. It brought back memories of simpler times. In those times, we found joy in the little things. We appreciated the beauty of life with each other.

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