Tug of War Between Isolation and Solitude

 

 

"It's an interesting combination:  Having a great fear of being alone, and having a desperate need for solitude and the solitary experience.  That's always been a tug of war for me.."

Jodie Foster



We come into the world alone, and we leave the world alone.  In between these two events, we experience a loneliness that is perhaps a longing to return to a 'home' we once knew.  There is a difference, I have learned, between solitude and isolation.  Solitude can offer inspiration, a reconnection with our heart's desire, or simple time to balance out our busy-ness of life.  On the other hand, isolation is being cut off, disengaged from people and life itself, which obviously is not a good thing.

There are mornings when we are almost awake, and we yearn to return to the dream state.  We want to extend the time designated for rest.  This desire is not based on wanting to hide from the world or dodge our emotional bullets.  It is perhaps a need to just be out of the physical for just a little while longer, suspended in visualization, creative scenery, or spiritual respite. 

There are those who meet this need through waking dreams, meditation, or contemplation.  The need to have 'time out' is necessary for all of us.  As we are no longer children, there is no one to tell us to go sit in a corner or go to our room until we are willing to be respectful.  As an adult, we need to make this decision our selves to restore a sense of balance and personal direction.

By giving our selves time to be alone, we actually enhance our living experience.  We can release stress, gain a different perspective, and enjoy the presence of the voice within.  Establishing balance on a regular basis, we are better prepared to face the dualities of life.  We can tolerate the gray a lot longer rather than impulsively jumping to black or white.  It brings us pause to consider other options.

Through the experience of solitude, we are able to just 'be' in the moment, to unplug or disengage.  The sense of not being pulled from every direction, allows us to remember what peace feels like.  The time alone is not only for our over analytical racing mind, but also for our physical body as well.

We need to be gentle with our lovely selves, to take time to regroup and restore.  Our surrounding family, friends, and co-workers probably wish we balance our energy more often!