“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 
There is so much truth in this small, but large observation of life.
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Thank you! Yes, small can be powerful! ♥️
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Lovely Carol 🥰
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Thank you!♥️
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Stillness and being quiet is a necessity in my life. This time I can make reflections on my past that are soothing to my being and promises that fuel my soul and being!
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Absolutely! A necessity in life for growth and introspection!⛰
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I love this!
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Thank you ~ glad you enjoyed! ⛰
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These are beautiful, Carol! 😍
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Thank you Rowena! ♥️
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Steal Away is what we all need to do from time to time. Your words always speak wisdom and bring peace to my heart, dear Carol. Thank you for sharing all your many talents with us…. photography, writing and the ability to bring a peace & love to our souls. You are a blessing to me… and others!
💙🙏
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Thank you! I’m thankful for your friendship and kind words ~ ♥️
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Always here, darlin’🥰
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I spend a lot of time alone and I am happy with myself, I talk through things in my mind, I had a discussion with the lady at the charity shop work who needs constant company, she asked about if I had friends and I said I do but spend most time happily alone, she could not understand x
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The good this is, being okay with the lady at the charity shop not understanding your need to quiet and aloneness ~ it’s actually a special gift that many are afraid to unwrap! ❤️
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Amen, Carol. Perhaps our/my quiet times are related more to age and the pandemic and it’s outrages affect on our lives. But it is now that we tend to look at life through the wisdom of the Bible. Today in God’s Holy Word I was reminded of what we see now; it is temporal, what we seek is eternal. Ahh the looking glass of life…our reflection in the pond or the response by our pets to our loving touch, a call to a lonely friend or a friend in a crisis. Love is the supreme gift!
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So very true! Years bring unfolding truths and the current environment certainly has put us in the middle of days our minds would’ve never imagined even a couple of years ago.
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Solitude is peaceful time to me. Lovely narrative and photos, Carol.
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Thank you, and yes – solitude is peaceful⛰
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