For the past few months I’ve been reading this Easternesqe book of wisdom called “Wabi Sabi: the Art of Everyday Life”. One of the things that resonated with me was this quote concerning aloneness:

Language has created the word ‘loneliness’ to describe the pain of being alone. And it has created the word ‘solitude’ to express the glory of being alone”

-Paul Tillich

I’d not committed to this trip before reading that tidbit, but it sure came back to me during it. We all have periods of aloneness that bring different awarenesses to ourselves be it in the presence or absence of others. These past few days, I’ve felt both: often very close to one another. It’s odd like that. Part of me knows that the glory in solitude is learning to be comfortable and enjoy who we are individually. The balance comes in knowing we need others share and walk along our paths.

The joy in all of it is knowing and finding both along the journey.