My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
“Spirituality is not to be learned by flight from the world, or by running away from things, or by turning solitary and going apart from the world. Rather, we must learn an inner solitude wherever or with whomsoever we may be. We must learn to penetrate things and find God there.”
I took this image last Sunday morning during our little snow storm. We received about 4-5 inches and still have some on the ground as temperatures have been staying cold. Directly behind and across the street is a student housing building where Mugs coffeehouse is located. After my morning mocha I walked over to campus to enjoy the falling snow, to get in a bit of exercise and possibly find an image. I have several images of this bench, finding it’s solitude calling my attention. I cannot remember ever seeing anyone sitting on this bench. However, today it’s pretty obvious why it’s empty.
Yesterday morning we awoke to clear blue skies and sunshine. Loved it! I took the bus to the transit center then came across this scene while walking across campus. Since it had two of my favorite subjects, a bench and shadows, a photograph needed to be taken. One thing in this image that speaks to me is the solitude because it is a part of my life. Interesting how there are tracks around the pond but nowhere near the bench. I’m just guessing, but thinking it’s due to the 23 degrees. 🙂
There seems to be a correlation between the increase in my age and a decrease in sunrise images and increase of sunsets images. Now at Momo Lolos coffeehouse and listening to a pianist and flutist duet. Love the change from the piped music we find most of the time.
Family and community are an essential part of my life as well as my solitude. There are some who avoid solitude, finding it uncomfortable. And, there are some who avoid communities, finding it uncomfortable. I need both. Community and fellowship helps me to appreciate the solitude and quiet. While the solitude and quiet help me appreciate community.
In this busy and high paced world finding quiet and solitude takes some effort. I find Nature is a place to find that solitude and quiet. A strange feeling came over me as I stood there looking at the tree. I like that feeling. I hear no cars or sirens. I hear and feel the wind as it blows against my back. The clouds slowly move eastward. The tree stands alone. I like that feeling.
Solitude is important in my life. Community is important in my life. Time alone nurtures my inner spirit, clears out the cobwebs, and heals. Yet, spending time with others also nurtures my spirit, helps me see life through others eyes and community also heals. Spending time alone shooting photographs helps me become a better photographer. Shooting with and sharing experiences with fellow photographers helps me become a better photographer. Why shouldn’t I embrace both solitude and community.
Sometimes I like to find a place where I’m pretty much by myself, like this young man. It was a warm and sunny day in Portland, Maine, so we took the bus from our hotel down to the port area. The bus depot is next to Monument Square where this young man found some solitude among the crowd at the base of the statue. Hope you’ve had a good day!
“I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but is delicious in the years of maturity.”
Albert Einstein
“Solitude is not something you must hope for in the future. Rather, it is a deepening of the present, and unless you look for it in the present you will never find it.”
Thomas Merton
As time has move on and my age has increased I joyfully welcome my times of solitude. We can create a place in our homes to sit in quiet solitude to start and end our days. With our busy and noisy world I also seek to find places outside the community of cities and towns. I can find these places in our parks, both local and national. To some this bench may seem lonely while shrouded by fog but it is offering rest to anyone who wishes to sit.