Spiritual Discipline: Solitude

Last week in this space I wrote about the claim that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.  That may or may not be true.  But it is undoubtedly the loudest time of the year.  We are bombarded with music everywhere we go.  Christmas music gets turned up louder than any other time of the year.  There are more people in the stores, more voices announcing the “deals of the year,” more cars on the road, honking their horns at the person looking at their phone while the light turns green.  The lights come out this time of year too.  Have you driven through the village of Spring Lake after dark?

In the midst of all of this, a person needs a break.  We need quiet to hear the most important, but softer voices in our lives.  We need a little darkness so that we can see the brightest light of the Christmas season.  And the spiritual discipline of solitude helps us do that.  Solitude helps us listen to what’s most important and focus on what is of greatest value.  As you consider taking some time in quiet solitude this month, here’s one way to get started.  Pick a day and leave the radio and the TV off.  You’ll be surprised at what comes into focus and what you hear when you give yourself a little extra time and space.