Backpacking in the Rahwah Wilderness, Colorado.

Take some time for yourself. It could help you build authentic community…sound crazy?

There is a difference between being lonely and finding solitude. I have come to learn that finding solitude can actually facilitate the discovery of truth, faith, authenticity, and inspiration. The following was actually taken from a flip desk calendar. The lesson here may be that wisdom can come from the most common of things:

“All humans are alone. No other person will ever completely feel like we do, act like we do. Each of us is unique, and our aloneness is the other side of our uniqueness. The question is whether we let our aloneness become loneliness or whether we allow it to lead us into solitude. Loneliness is painful; solitude is peaceful. Loneliness makes us cling to others in desperation; solitude allows us to respect others in their uniqueness and create community out of that respect. Letting our aloneness grow into solitude and not into loneliness is a lifelong struggle. It requires conscious choices about whom to be friends with, how to pray, what to study, and when to ask for counsel. But wise choices will help us to find solitude where our hearts can grow in love.”

Try to take advantage of the quiet solitude you may find yourself in this week, it may lead to a new sense of authenticity and energy when aloneness becomes solitude and not loneliness.

– Zach