Joy in Being Alone

As we age, we have a greater appreciation for time alone. We are not as eager to be surrounded by constant noise and chaos; we have had plenty of that in our younger years.

We need time to ourselves every now and then to reset our emotional barometer. Daily life (especially more recently) can be filled with stress. The emotional toll that this stress can take on our mind and body can create havoc not only for us personally, but for those around us also.

For me there is no better stress reliever than to be alone in total silence; nothing but peace and tranquility to soothe my weary soul. The only thing that I will allow to enter this sanctuary would be the sounds provided by the living world. Wind, waves, birds, and other music from nature can inspire calm at our most difficult times.

There are many ways to enjoy time alone even if we are in the midst of others. I have had some very peaceful moments when surrounded by strangers. We can be sitting on a sunny beach with the sounds of children and families buzzing around us, and still feel alone and at peace. There are no expectations from any of these people - nobody wanting us to entertain them or needing our care. This allows us to get lost in the sounds of the ocean with its waves rushing up on shore, and the squawking of seagulls as they scurry around searching for morsels of food dropped by beach goers. 

I feel sorry for those who cannot find joy in being alone; their lives must be in a constant state of turmoil with no downtime to rest their weary souls. As one who has not had much alone time lately, I know how exhausting this can be.

We must find a way every now and then to steal time away; to let our soul rest and our spirit rejuvenate. We will rejoin the world refreshed, and ready to become a part of the everyday chaos of life.