“But the inability to understand what creativeness there is in solitude, that it is somehow linked to the ‘madness of silence,’ is to deny the human spirit its vital recharge for facing the rigors of everyday life.
“Solitude is choosing to be alone . . .
“Solitude is to let the mind and emotions drain away, free from the demands of others. It is to commune with self, with the simplicities and beauty of nature. It is to let the mind wander, flitting here and there aimlessly, never locked into any great struggle to make closure . . . It is a time when the restless torments of a thousand emotional circuits are quieted, when there comes that ‘sweet peace’ that man must have to survive the jungle of his own making.”
~James Johnson in Loneliness Is Not Forever
And isn’t true that when we take that time apart, when we seek solitude, when we come apart from the demands of life (before we come apart at the seams), when we let it all drain away, that’s when we are best able to digest our life and discover our dreams?
Still,
Sandy
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 on the left, 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.
Also linking with Cheryl today.
I am beginning to understand more, how important solitude is for renewal, so when we are living our life for holy purpose we are actually effective, instead of just busy and worn. Yes, it’s me I am talking to. 🙂
You’re talking to me, too, girlfriend.
I am a person that definitely needs margins, white space, in my life. Times of quiet and solitude are essential to me spiritually and emotionally!
Me, too. I have to learn to stop looking at and envying what everyone else is accomplishing. Such balls of fire. 🙂
But in this season, I’m craving the white space, trusting that He will do through me what He plans in His timing. Resting in that. (Most of the time.)
I never realized how necessary this solitude was for refreshment and growth. I’ve always been such a people-person, the idea of stepping away seemed so odd to me. I think I was afraid of the quiet. Not anymore. I crave it often in this season.
I’m hearing such a holy echo. Love you, friend.
I’m having trouble with the Linky server responding this morning, so I’m entering my link in the comments for now: http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/03/still-blooming-on-chilly-morning.html
I’m sorry, Virginia. I’ve noticed on other sites that I have problems when someone else is trying to enter at the same time. I’ve added it for you. Thank you!
” free from the demands of others.”
This is the biggest component for me. If I can achieve this, it doesn’t matter where I am.
And might I add… free from the demands of myself.
Sandra, this is my life song. I am often perplexed at how wide I need my life margins, by how deeply I crave silence…..but this shines beautiful light on the why. I long to read this book. Thanks for what you do. It is beautiful, friend.
Reading backwards. And I’m glad for any “duplicate.” I love your words.
Had some difficulty with the linky so here’s my offering
http://www.wynnegraceappears.com/2013/03/uncover-laughter
Added it above for you, dear friend.
Hope this isn’t a duplicate but I want to say this sweet Sandy…..
This speaks to me so richly.
I am so dependent on wide margins and silence and often feel guilty about it. But this helps shine beautiful light on why.
Thank you for what you do.
And thank you for sharing this book with me. It is new to me but I shall give myself the gift of my own copy. Bless you friend
It’s older–printed in 1979. Price on the cover is $7.95. 🙂
I was pulling books off the shelf to donate–and this is why I find that so hard. After I thumbed through it, I thought, “no, I’m keeping this one–and this one, and this one.” Just never know what gem one might find when one needs it. The quotes are from the last chapter, “Loneliness and Self-Discovery.”
The first chapter is titled, “The Mystery of Loneliness,” and the following titles deal with the loneliness of aloneness, not belonging, broken dreams, faith, work, leadership, diminishing time, illness, and bereavement.
I just talked myself into reading it all again…
Pining for a day near the water – love your pictures, Sandy.
Oh, me, too! To soak and bake. (Not to be confused with shake and bake.)
I hear this…
xoxo
Letting it all drain away. What a beautiful image. I can see it swirling away. . .
Thank you, Sandra, for your beautiful words and image, for hosting us, for your even more beautiful heart.
I love that image, too. Love to you today–and rest.
I was just talking about this with my hubby. I have had moments of loneliness after our recent move, we really have not made friends yet, and at first it bothered me. But in that stillness is when I found the courage to live this tiny little dream I have in my heart. If I had been surrounded by friends I am not sure I would have heard God telling me now is the time.
Oh, Lisa. I lived this. A transfer that tore me from friends and all the doing–and turned into one of the best things ever. It’s when I started to write for real. It’s when I learned to quilt. It’s when I did some of my deepest growing.
This is so true Sandy. How I need that time to just be still. Have a lovely weekend sweet friend.
You, too, Linda. And BTW, I’m planning a reading marathon at your place soon.
I’m at a time in life when I’m able to care out times of quiet solitude most days. Not always, but often. It is truly a gift that I try not to take for granted.
Beautiful thoughts, Sandy. May your weekend be blessed with all things good. xox
May we enjoy the blessings of solitude and not fear loneliness. Thanks for the beautiful post & for hosting, & God bless!
I think I would enjoy carving out a space where my “thousand emotional circuits were quieted” for a while… 🙂
As always, thanks for this reminder, Sandy. Tomorrow is going to be a crazy busy day, so I am trying to be still this afternoon for a bit…
The need for silence and solitude can never be underestimated. We just returned today from five quiet, peaceful days spent in the mountains. Oh, how refreshed and invigorated I feel all because so much time was spent in silence, observing God’s beauty all around me.
Blessings, Sandy!
With my personality, I have to have solitude to make it. Those moments are recharging and refreshing and allow me time I need to think creatively and make decisions. I definitely feel it (as do those around me) when I don’t get that time! Thanks Sandra.
I fine if I don’t have enough solitude I am almost ill. I am anxious, not centered, I have no patience, and I simply don’t feel myself. Thank you for hosting us Sandra, blessings on your weekend.
Oh those words sound peaceful. I just love, “It is a time when the restless torments of a thousand emotional circuits are quieted, “.
MMM. Breathing in His Breath.
Thanks,
Blessings,
Janis