Solitude

Much was possible to a man in solitude, but some things were possible only to a man in companionship, and of these the most important was balance. No mind was so good that it did not need another mind to counter and equal it, and to save it from conceit and bigotry and folly.

I was reading “The Inklings” and I came upon this quote, it got me thinking about solitude and companionship. I’ve always valued solitude; I think it gives birth to the original in us and bring us closer to our true selves. Charles Williams makes an excellent counter-point here: good companionship is good for your mind, we need balance.

There’s too much noise all around. What’s the last time you were by yourself, without any screens, no music, no podcasts or audiobooks, no notifications… Just you and your thoughts?

We are always connected.

One of the reasons I love riding bikes and hiking out in the mountains is just that: silence. And even with good companionship it still feels silent. I should clarify that I don’t mean silence as in the absense of sound, I just mean silence from noise. Nature’s stillness always feels alive.

And what most merits fame, in silence hid.