Pulling Ourselves Together

"We live in a very tense society. We are pulled apart...and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together. I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude." - Helen Hayes, Academy Award-, Grammy Award-, Tony Award-, and Emmy award-winning entertainer

When I first started to read this quote, I immediately thought of how I like to share with my close friends when I feel tense so they can help me see the truth of whatever situation I am facing. My friends can help with suggestions on how I can pull myself together in times of stress. Then I read the last sentence of the quote and I thought about just how much sitting in the silence helps me calm down and face the challenges of the day I am in. Ms. Hayes is right in my opinion; solitude is a part of the equation for me.

I used to be uncomfortable sitting in solitude with complete quiet all around me. When I am at home, I usually have the computer on and the TV on at the same time so that my attention is completely wrapped up in lots of activity. There are times when I feel so tense that I don't know what to do with myself. That's when I know it's time to shut everything off, sit quietly in my favorite chair, close my eyes, and concentrate on my breathing. In this quiet solitude, answers will come to me. Sometimes the answers are not what I think they should be, but they are answers nonetheless. Solitude is not to be feared. Solitude is to be embraced because it helps quiet my soul to allow me to open up to the solutions that become available to me.

I agree that society appears to be tense much of the time but I've learned I don't have to choose to be tense just because others are. Today I know I can go within to get calm and peaceful and I do this in solitude. I also know that my tension can be relieved by talking to my close friends who love me for who I am. It all works for me. I am grateful.



More articles by Life Coach K Kerswig, Blue Skies Life Coaching LLC