I'm at a loss to interpret the signs the universe has been giving me.

When I moved into this apartment, it was heavenly quiet, which is essential for me; I'm a person who can't tolerate a noisy environment.

I found out after I moved in that the owners (who live above me) have a daughter. Noisy. When she's home, I hear running, thumping, and often, loud shrieks.

She's visiting relatives right now, but there's another problem. The neighbors have a BIG dog with a BIG bark. It is driving me completely insane. The dog isn't out all the time, but with the weather improving, I have no doubt that it'll be left outside most of the time when it's warm.

I've ordered a dog silencer to deal with it.

Thing is, my belief is that the universe is sending me some very strong signals that this is not the place for me.

So, that being the case, am I meant to search actively for a new place, or is the universe going to push me toward the right place with the same persistence as it has shown in making this place so difficult to live in at times?

I dislike moving very much, and I'm in no hurry to do so. What I want, when I leave this place, is to move into a house that I own, free and clear, no mortgages, all mine, peaceful and quiet all the time. I concentrate on this. I've found a place online that looks ideal.

So - is there something I'm missing here? Is there a reason why the noise is driving me so completely crazy? Is there another message involved?

I just don't know.

I recently read this article in Ode Magazine. It's wonderful. I thought of it when I read your posting. Suffering is Optional by Katie Byron

An excellent article Cris and I hope it resonates with you too En. Keeping a gratitude journal might be a great start. As for the answers to the questions you ask here, they are within you. Meditation can help you find them, if that is something you know how to do or want to learn.

I can truly understand your need for silence. I personally do best when I live in the country. I love to feel the silence, something many people today do not understand, because in the cities that silence does not exist... it might sound quiet at times but the city noise is always there.... out away from the city the quiet is "deafening," soooo quiet you can feel it. My old cat Oz and I were both on medications when we were living in the city. Three months after we moved to the country we no longer needed them. There is much we don't understand about noise and how it effects us, but that was a clear example to me of how much it can make a difference in how we feel physically.

May be way off here; I'm not a psychologist, but think about this. Conscious mind: I need silence, noise drives me crazy. Circumstances, considered as an answer from the universe: noisy kid, noisy dog. Interpretation: you should learn to deal with what upsets you. Once you do and you've learned the lesson, then you'll find your quiet place. Very often, when we ask the universe for an answer, we get it, but it may not be the answer we expect.

Thanks for the article cris, I read something similar somewhere before. It's always good to have a reminder

Just to share a little.. I used to be the kind that needs complete(almost) silence. And i'd be peaceful, calm, but once something breaks that silence, it breaks my peace too, and I'd get mad at whatever it was that broke it. Then somewhere along the way, I realised that it is not just abt being calm and at peace in the silence, but in the midst of chaos. Can I hold my ground and stay calm when everything or everyone is going nuts on me? Can I still focus when there's noise all around? And over time I have learnt to do that, by looking into me. That quiet place I'm searching for, that will always be around and there for me.. is in me.

Nancy, I've been meaning to tell you, I come from your neck of the woods. Matter of fact, I went to the OCF last year! I should have contacted you; maybe we could have met.

One thing I did last night, after I went to bed, was to lie there thinking of all the things I'm grateful for. The more I thought of, the better I felt. Finally, I said aloud, "My life has been so good!" I thought of kindness I received when I didn't deserve it; help when I needed it most; all sorts of things that have enriched my life.

The dog was out barking again today, but he went inside. By the time the weather gets nice, I should - I should! - have that silencer. I also ordered some earplugs online last night, and they're supposed to be extremely effective, so good that you can't even hear someone snoring in the same room with you.

It is, however, still my plan to buy the house I have my eye on, as soon as the money arrives. And it will.

Oh surprise En. You were in the Eugene, OR area? I'm not familiar with OCF or at least not the acronym. Where are you now?

Good to hear you had some forward movement with the gratitude!

Yes, I'm from Eugene! The OCF is the Oregon Country Fair - which you, living in Veneta, must know about!

I've been saying to the universe: "Okay. You're showing me that it's time for a change. I got the message. So, now that you've given me the motivation, give me the means."

Yes.

Oh yes, I know the country fair! I'm 56 and moved to Eugene when I was 18. I'm not a big crowd person so I don't go very often, but it's always a treat when I do.

I've been saying the very same thing you are En.... doing my very best to find the key to that door.