The Art of Solitude

As a self-proclaimed introvert I personally know the benefits of solitude but since everyone is not an introvert and in actuality no one person is strictly an introvert or extrovert as that would make that person clinically insane. That such temperaments or personalities  exists on a spectrum and to operate at our best means to honor the introvert as well as the extrovert in each one of us. But since we live in a extrovert world that promotes anything extroverted it is of the utmost importance that we all hone our introversion. There is a saying that to be a master at anything  you must dedicate 10,000 hours. This is largely true. But the true mastering of a craft begins when you are alone- just you and what ever task lays before you. As a blogger, I noticed that to be utterly alone with myself, no distractions, I can completely surrender myself to my work, I also practise this sort of mindfulness with my other tasks. I feel I can best tap into my creative energy when I am alone. Without people around to give me even the slightest notion to conform to their way of thinking instead of trusting my own . I have never in my wildest dreams found something more companionable than solitude. It's ironic how slipping away from all this social media and social interaction makes a person feel so connected and so alive. When you are utterly alone you can be yourself well without the judgements of the world  it   allows your creativity to flow.  Nikola Tesla stated, “The mind is sharper and keener in seclusion and uninterrupted solitude. Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind. Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born.” He and many other great minds will tell you the same. There is a certain amount of aloneness that comes with the mastery of your craft but then again are you really alone if you are always there for you? Well do you trust yourself? Can you really be absolutely alone without using an escape? I honestly believe that the greatest test of a man's authenticity is whether the disposition he keeps in solitude is the same he keeps in a crowd. Many will not know the truth but a man lying to himself will know it for himself and hopefully this might ignite something inside him. Spend some loving alone time with yourself. Discover new things about you. Use this new awareness of yourself and your circumstances to propel you further in life. You were not meant to be mediocre!  You are destined for greatness!

Warning: I am not, however by any means saying to give all your possessions and go live in the mountains indefinitely. Or to completely seclude yourself from society. I am simply saying that the quality of being an introvert is nothing to ashamed of and that we should nurture both our extrovert and introvert within all of us. Lovingly accept ourselves as we are then move on from there.

xoxoxo
Heart Follower