Silence. Most of us crave it. Some more than the rest. He searches it out from time to time. This entails not only lack of sounds and distractions, but also the contemplative and reflection that accompany time alone.
Those rare moments when no one is either giving you permission to be and think for yourself, or casting non-verbal judgment on your space. Like seeing a movie alone and walking out without having to form an opinion quickly for your companion, but rather the purity of absorbing the messages into yourself to simply add to your understanding of this planet and its inhabitants.
We cast our views for one of two reasons. Either we intend to define ourselves more clearly, or we truly desire to share our thoughts and opinions with those around us. Both objectives make sense, but the latter has real personal value. If we are able to share without judgment, then we have entered into a world of true companionship. This world is very freeing. Our true nature surfaces most notably when we are alone, yet is increasingly nourished and supported by those we include.
He is reminded of the day his father entered a nursing home and never left. With no physical ailments, he was incarcerated due to a mental dysfunction that otherwise would make his safety and that of others at risk. Or so we were told. More to point, he was given the entry level doses of psychotropic- a drug to make him more manageable. He never spoke coherently again.
On a good note, it could be argued that he no longer had to explain himself. He had a respected reputation as a thinker and doer, and now this circumstance would give him the time to really do some creative thinking. But like Chris McCandless discovered toward the end of his odyssey in Alaska, as described in Krakauers book, “into the Wild”, a life most valued is a life that is shared with others. Alive, contemplative, and reflective yes…..but not alone........hmmm........ then again?
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Also, consider checking out
spiesconflictresolutions.blogspot.com
