Resting in the Sanctuary of Solitude

In solitude, Soul finds her voice

And sings our unique songs.

In solitude, Soul guides us toward

Personal paths of serenity, surrender, and service.

In the sacred sweetness of solitude,

Soul unveils our true selves.

—Sue

One might think I was in a state of bliss as I wrote this poem, but that’s not true. I was not only grieving deeply over the death of a dear friend, I was also having a profound crisis of confidence. Groping blindly in this dark pit, everything about me came under scrutiny. Work, family, ad infinitum. Thankfully, I did have the luxury—no, the necessity—of solitude.

As I see it, solitude offers several forms of sanctuary. The solace of connecting with our authentic Self, which is, in essence, a simple self: a self who laughs easily and relishes time to bask in nature, enjoy the smile of a child, and rest in the embrace of the Beloved. Such solitude feels like being safely and snugly wrapped in a down quilt on a silent, snowy night. But I have also found that it’s only when quiet and alone—free from the extraneous—that we’re able to become aware of the toxic beliefs we hold and then jettison behaviors that are no longer beneficial to us.

Excerpted from How to Stay Upbeat in a Beat Down World by Sue Patton Thoele. Available on Amazon.