The Joys of Solitude

As an assignment over the weekend, I asked my students to go and see a movie--totally alone. They groaned and kvetched, and some couldn't see the sense in it. But once they'd done it, they reported that that they were surprised at what a good time they had, were more focused on the movie than ever before (even if it was not a good film), and most said it is something they would do again. Go figure.

It's a wonderful skill to develop, especially at a young age: to enjoy your own company.

Becoming more aware

I asked my students to go and do something completely alone and report back about what they noticed. Here is what one person wrote:

Going out into the wilderness with no worries in the world was one of the most enjoyable, relaxing, amazing experiences I have had in my entire life. I found myself imagining and thinking about things that I would not have otherwise. If I was with someone else, I would have been too engaged in conversation to notice some of the aspects of nature that I did.

How much do we miss because we're constantly yapping. What if you stopped talking on your cell phone while walking from one place to another? I bet your world will be come much bigger than what you're yapping about.