Solitude and Community

Sometimes I forget that I need solitude, the way I need air or water or food. I can get caught up in so many events--be they the struggling kind or the dancing kind; swept up in the flurry, loving the community, embracing the energy--and the voice inside me that says to find a quiet place and rest gets drowned out amidst the noise.

And sometimes I forget that stepping into solitude can be more frightening and uncomfortable than jumping into a crowd. Being alone with myself, my thoughts, I can very easily take the wrong turn down the path of negativity and self-doubt. And yet I plod on, honing my self-advocacy skills, because I need to spend time here, alone, to dance this dance with myself, learn what it means to be my own partner, my own voice, my own friend. Trust and love and courage come with time and presence and risk.

And what I have found to be true for me is that when I embrace and treasure the times of solitude is when I am most comfortable in my own skin and am most able to love and to be loved in a community of fellow journeyers and strugglers and lovers.  Finding the space to be in solitude freely in the midst of community is a gift that I find liberating and healing, a gift that I cherish.

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Thinking of those of you whose presence gives me the space to be in solitude without the loneliness.

Comments

[Maya Laurent]

Such a good reminder!