Seeking Simple Solitude
/
I must confess --- I take silence and solitude for granted. When I do get it, my mind is wandering all over the place about my next move, my next to do.
There is so much hustle and bustle these days. There is so much to do. There are things I just have to get in and fit in each day. Social Media is always on. There is always breaking news.
As a result of constant and demanding activity, what about the dire need for some good ol’ silence; some solitude?
Bryant blogged this week about 2 Keys to Living an Abundant April, so you can see how passionate we are about this. One of the key ingredients was to quiet your life.
Solitude and silence, like WEIRD gets a bad rap! Solitude tends to be associated with loneliness, separation, or feeling isolated. I define it differently as peaceful!
I really like how Hara Estroff Marano defined solitude in a Psychology Today web article:
“Solitude is a time that can be used for reflection, inner searching or growth or enjoyment of some kind. Deep reading requires solitude, so does experiencing the beauty of nature. Thinking and creativity usually do too.
Solitude suggests peacefulness stemming from a state of inner richness. It is a means of enjoying the quiet and whatever it brings that is satisfying and from which we draw sustenance. It is something we cultivate. Solitude is refreshing; an opportunity to renew ourselves. In other words, it replenishes us. . . . . It is the necessary counterpoint to intimacy,. . . . .Solitude gives us a chance to regain perspective. It renews us for the challenges of life. . . . Solitude restores body and mind.”
Enough said!
Almost.
So, I have established a new daily reservation that is a requirement on my calendar. I call it my “Just Me & God” time. YES!
This is MY daily time reserved for me to STOP everything and just participate in some intentional simple solitude. JUST. ME. AND. GOD! This is my secret place. This is my place to draw near. This is my place to look upon the hills from where my help comes! This is my into-me-see time. This is my chance to recharge my battery. This is my time to check my connection. My This is my time to check myself, my ways, my walk, and my thoughts. This is my time to re-energize and rejuvenate. This is my time to detox. This is my time just for me!
I need this time. This is not a penciled in time; this a permanent time. I do not have a set, rigid time established, as I want to remain flexible. I do not want this much needed time to become burdensome or make it seem like it is a chore or a task. At that point, it is not genuine, intentional, heartfelt, quality time.
I want to share my personal space with you – see below. Looking at this space reminds me that I need to make this time happen DAILY! In my space, I include a candle (really helps to set the tone and mood), my mug, and of course my Bible, my computer, pen, and paper.
Action: Why don’t you join me? Let’s hold one another accountable. Let’s fear not be weird this simple solitude time together! Take the action to establish your daily place of solitude; your secret place.
Question(s): What about you? Don’t you agree that such a daily time would be beneficial and valuable for your life as well? Do you already have a time or a daily practice established that works for you? Please share your comments below. Pay it forward. Let’s share experiences and best practices together that may bless others.
Chaitra MTN Universal Be the wEiRd this world needs! Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Pinterest Source citation reference: "What Is Solitude?" Psychology Today. Hara Estroff Marano. Web. Published on July 01, 2003 - last reviewed on November 21, 2013. 3 Apr. 2014.
