Solitude

A lack of  contact with people is solitude. One of the effects is freedom--your choices are less likely to be affected by exchanges with others. Creativity and contemplation are possible.

If you were a Black-Friday shopper, you are over-due for a little solitude--crowds, noises, no room for contemplation here.

Entering a sports bar on a Sunday evening, we over-heard conversations, music, and at least fifteen different television sets with various games and sitcoms. One was situated at each booth with several super-large screens placed high on the walls.

In our homes, we have television--some of us, 24/7-- where actors or talk-show participants enjoy interrupting each other. Movies provide action-packed shoot-outs, accidents, and scenes with complementary NOISE.

Phones blurp or sing to let us know of calls and text messages; computers do likewise. Depending on your work place--noises vary from ear-plug demanding sounds to constant chatter as cubicle offices are lined up for long stretches. Games? Concerts? Does anyone think all this noise is a bit over-done?

When is the last time you heard the gurgle of a brook, the rush of the wind through the trees? Have you recently heard the tick-tock of a clock? If it were quiet enough, could we hear the snow fall?

Solitude
Saturated with quiet
And comfortable in my skin
I'm down to earth
Above the clouds
And somewhere in between
I'm content.

Be still and know....