“Can you be alone without being lonely? Can you spend time by yourself without craving noise or company of other people? Have you discovered the glory of quiet time spent alone, time spent listening to your soul? Solitude brings with it gifts that come from nowhere else.”
It’s been a weekend of intentionally getting quiet and still. Without purposely seeking out ‘things’ to stimulate the mind or tire the body- or things that always find us in our daily routines regardless.
If nothing more than scrolling through a few headlines, reading a couple of opinions, or listening to one podcast—-in today’s environment it can be enough controversy to make a light backpack heavy.
“Within yourself is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.”
Herman Hesse
Long summer days are a good reminder of how busy our life or environment is, why, and with what. As long as one is physically capable, human nature is usually to ‘do’ and ‘be.’
I’m thankful for the opportunity to be still, quiet…..to observe nature, to spend days in complete silence. Life’s greatest lessons and most of its natural treasures are not found in busyness —-days filled with self-induced and acquaintance-induced, job-induced demands and expectations.
“Stillness is our most intense mode of action. It is in our moments of deep quiet that is born every idea, emotion, and drive which we eventually honor with the name of action. We reach highest in meditation, and farthest in prayer. In stillness every human being is great.” Leonard Bernstein
Not a nap on the sofa….but complete silence and stillness allow reflection, insight, guidance.
From a mountain girl’s heart
Mountain Girl's Heart 