My Apple Watch tapped my wrist (that’s what they do - ‘haptics’ they call them) and told me the sound environment I was in was peaking at 100dB.
For reference, 100dB is the equivalent of being about 100m away from a jet plane taking off.
It’s not great for your hearing if you are in that environment for more than 10 or so minutes. Luckily it was just as the subway car rounded the corner and pulled into Waterloo station in London, England.
As we exited the train and walked into the crowds at the station we were met with a wall of sound. People talking, laughing… general din. Along with quite possibly the loudest busker I have ever been witness to. A lovely keyboard player who was playing beautifully but also at a startling volume.
I try to learn something whenever I travel.
This trip to Scotland and England has taught a valuable lesson…
Sometimes you need to amplify the happy.
To like, 11.
A busy train station can be stressful and you’d think that making things louder would only increase that stress but it weirdly didn’t.
The UK has always been good at resolve. Stiff upper lip and all that.
But I’ve learned they work hard at it.
They push happiness as much as they can until you’re pretty damned convinced that you’re happy.
That’s a good lesson to learn.
Kickstart a smile.
Squeeze out a laugh.
When in unnice times, remind yourself about what is nice.
Then amplify that.
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Huzzah!