January 07-B, 2023

**Isolation? Loneliness? SOLITUDE! 01/11/2013 Oil Paint Rendered — Lake Jeanette and Fog, Greensboro, North Carolina**

Marianne Moore said,
"The cure for loneliness  
is solitude."

Ortega y Gasset said,
"A bore is someone 
who fails to provide companionship
while robbing you of your solitude."

When I retired,
I took a monastic vow
of silence and solitude,
which means "Nothing social."
With "social" meaning
"anything other than family."

The best part is no parties.

No, the best part is
looking out the window
when I'm not on my way
somewhere else.

Solitude allows me 
the privilege of
being where I am.

And it reduces the amount of
noise,
complexity
and drama
considerably.

Increasing the time available
for emptiness,
stillness
and silence.

The foundation of balance and harmony.
The doorway to life
and light
and peace.

But.
It does not prevent
the DMV
from intruding into your life.

And.
It helps to have people
honor your wishes.

Reminding me of my favorite
of the Biblical commandments,
and this one did not make
the Top Ten:

"Thou shalt not remove
thy neighbor's landmark!"

–0–

Published by jimwdollar

I'm retired, and still finding my way--but now, I don't have to pretend that I know what I'm doing. I retired after 40.5 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, serving churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Austin, Texas, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. My wife, Judy, and I have three daughters and five granddaughters within about twenty minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything. View more posts