Thursday, June 10, 2021

Thursday Thoughts...

“Being solitary is being alone well: being alone immersed in doings of your own choice, aware of the fullness of your own presence rather than of the absence of others. Because solitude is an achievement.” 

Alice Koller

So often we think that being alone is like being lonely.

And yet, I love being alone at times: on my own with just my thoughts and a book; or my art practice; or my wandering time to the studio and back.  I don't feel lonely at these times, and I think these words help me understand why.

There can be a completeness in being on one's own.  The simplicity and satisfaction of having all that you need, within you and your space, with little need or demand of others.

Like so many things, when you turn the words around and think about solitude as being the fullness of your own presence, rather than the absence of the presence of others it takes on a whole new, more positive meaning.

For me, when solitude reflects my fullness of presence I am so very happy. If my solitude was all bout distance from, the absence of, the emptiness, then yes I would feel lonely and at times this can be so very true.


This, a book, a cup of tea, a glass of wine, my stitching...solitude at its best. Companionable solitude!

4 comments:

  1. solitude ... this introvert's solace ...

    and how both have the root "sol" ... although I haven't found this to be formative, it being Latin for "sun" feels right somehow

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    1. I love the way you follow the words...solitude and solace are both beautiful words with meaning; and I wonder if in a way they bring light and sun to the soul? Solitude is so very important to this introvert...go well.

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  2. P.S. Your Labels caught my eye ... 540 Thursday Thoughts ... that's amazing!

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    1. Thanks for noticing Liz! Barry and I were chatting the other day about making a book of them - 10 years of Thursday Thoughts... and it's on one of my maybe lists. Looking back the first one appeared on Thursday 29 July 2010. I missed a few in between as I wondered about their relevance; but I came back to them because I love stopping and pondering - and sharing - plus there are so many good quotes out there!

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