Block Quote by Heather O'Neill
“Sometimes when you are standing still and it’s snowing, you think that you hear music. You can’t tell where it’s coming from either. I wondered if we all really did have a soundtrack, but we just get so used to it that we can’t hear it anymore, the same way that we block out the sound of our own heartbeat.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill, 2002
When we become accustomed to background sounds, we may imagine an inner soundtrack that fades from conscious awareness, similar to ignoring our heartbeat.
In simple terms: We stop noticing constant background noises.
Key Takeaway
Pay attention to subtle sounds around you.
Themes
perception
mindfulness
sound
inner life
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- walking in snow
- quiet contemplation
- creative writing
- mindful meditation
Key Concepts
psychology
sensory adaptation
subjective reality
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever notice a “soundtrack” in daily life?
- How does silence affect your thoughts?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may over‑romanticize ordinary perception.
