The Value of Solitude….

When I first heard someone tell me I should get away, in solitude, I was a little aghast. That sounded horrible to this full-on extrovert! But, when I actually did it, and truly got away by myself for a day, it was exactly what my heart and soul needed.

I went to a Lodge about 45 minutes from my home. I knew it had walking trails in the forest and large Adirondack chairs overlooking the Columbia River. I filled my backpack with lunch, my Bible, journal, H2O and some Kleenex. Kleenex because the first time I did this was to process and journal and grieve the loss of my dad. I worked through a lot of emotions, remembered the good things, forgave, and shed tears amongst many sweet memories.

When I arrived, I decided as I went walking along the first trail that I would stop and journal or pray as the nudge on my heart led me. It was kind of a bit overcast, but that didn’t stop me from literally drinking in the quiet. Now, to be fair, there were other people at the Lodge and at the golf course that bordered the trails, but I tuned them out and went about my business of refreshing and resetting my soul. One beautiful thing that comes out of solitude time is I can hear the Lord best when I slow down, am in nature, and am not distracted by the world…or my phone. I put my phone away for the day, except to snap a couple of pictures.

Too often the heaviness and chaos and angst of the world affects our very being, and we don’t even realize it until it has done considerable damage. A simple quieting of the mind, heart and soul is an intentional choice to unplug, reboot, and be in the midst of the Creator’s created. It can do wonders for an anxious heart.

So, go schedule, like physically block out time on your calendar, for a day of solitude or a long weekend away to calm and recalibrate your busy, weary, burdened self!🌿

Cheering you on,

Noelle