On being alone

It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts. -K.T. Jong

Lately, I've been haunting a particular coffee shop in the morning before heading to work.  I like to sit at one of the small wooden tables and order a soy latte or an organic chamomile tea.  The latter arrives in a fancy silver teapot with a ceramic teacup the color of ivory.  Some days, I'll sip my tea and use the time to write in my journal, or read a book.  Other days, I jot down goals, to-dos, or a grocery list.  Occasionally, I will simply allow the teacup to warm my hands while I visualize my intentions for the coming day, week, or year.

I've come to treasure these moments of solitude between the commute and the beginning of my workday.  I don't stay for long - usually 25 minutes or so - and yet, it feels like a luxury amidst the hustle and bustle of the morning routine.  These little ellipses between commitments leave me refreshed and re-connected to my self, inspired to embrace the day with purpose and creativity.

Life can feel so crowded sometimes, can't it?  The "blaring sounds of our daily existence" seem to follow wherever we go.  Emails to write, phone calls to return, blogs, tweets, and TV to catch up on.  Traffic reports, weather forecasts, and a never-ending influx of mostly unhappy news to digest.  As much as I love these modern technologies, I find it critical to unplug.  To be alone, with only my thoughts for company.

I've been recognizing the importance of solitude more and more lately, and I think that's one of the reasons I love this video so much.  I've watched it several times now, and each time, my soul seems to nod in agreement with Tanya's words.  I know the video's been floating all over the interwebs the past couple of days, but it seemed worth re-posting here, in case anyone hadn't yet seen it.

How do you carve out moments of solitude during your day?  What do you do when you're alone?