When we live with a solitude of heart,
we can listen with attention to the words and the worlds of others,
but when we are driven by loneliness,
we tend to select just those remarks and events
that bring immediate satisfaction to our own craving needs.
~Henri Nouwen in Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life
Welcome to Still Saturday where we pause after a busy week, move in quiet pilgrimage, maybe linger a while in some still place, and soak in the beauty of images and words. We’d love for you to join us. Get the details above, grab your favorite button, and link up below. We all love to hear if something especially speaks to your heart, but please don’t feel pressured to comment. Simply take some time to gaze long and drink deep.
I had to read that three times to let it steep. That quote is revealing and a bit convicting too. Hope you have a great weekend Sandy.
so true…love Nouwen….great photo, Sandra 🙂 hope you get to experience solitude this weekend 🙂
Wow. What an excellent quote–and that image? I Love it. Enjoy your weekend, may it be restful, and quiet, full of holy moments amid the mundane.
So true – and loneliness feeds my self-centeredness. Hope your weekend is one of solitude and not loneliness because you are surrounded by the love of Christ. xox
Great words!
Wonderful photo and quote . . .
Blessings, Sandy!
Oh, how I love that Henri Nouwen.
I just love Henri Nouwen and his word continue to draw us deeper. Reaching Out is one of his best books too. Great choice as a quote today.
Guilty. I so want to listen with a pure heart, one that lives for Him alone so that I may serve, graciously.
The distinction between solitude and loneliness – profound. So glad you shared this.
Amazing quote. As Patricia said, loneliness feeds our self-centeredness. Painfully true. I love the distinction, that solitude of heart opens us, makes us sensitive to others. Beautiful. Copied this into my journal. Thank you.
Great quote with a very deep message. Thanks for sharing, it certainly is something we need to think about.
Lovely quote… may my heart always be peaceful enough to truly hear the voices of others around me…Blessings to you 🙂
Awesome photo & quote! Thanks so much for hosting, & God bless!
Beautiful as always… and I shared your words at my place. Thank you for allowing me to 🙂 You are blessing to this seeking heart…
Driven by loneliness–I’m thinking about this as well as all the other distractions that keep me from focusing on others and their words. Good stuff to chew on for the weekend. Blessings, Sandra.
This is especially meaningful. Love that image.
Solitude vs. loneliness. I know the difference when I’m in it.
So thankful for your words each week. You are such a blessing friend.