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We Will Shine in 2009 A special thank you to all of you who continue to support Life Now and our ventures! (`~`*`~`)`~`*`~`(`~`*`~`)`~`*`~`(`~`*`~`)`~`*``~` (`~`*`~`) You can read archive issues of "Expansion Encounters" at Expansion Encounters and now at New Expansion Encounters 2009 Stepping Into Solitude By Dusty Reed Quietude offers occasion for reflection. Gazing at the sky one observes floating clouds of pastel colors that bring memories of days of childhood. Pleasant, peaceful surroundings provide an optimistic attitude for achievements and memories. Yes, from time to time one experiences a yearning to get away from the waves and commotion of the world, to live a life of solitude and tranquility on mental horizons. No matter how active life seems to be, it is good to make it a practice daily of taking time out to rest and to be alone, to think, study and meditate. By so doing, a person can discover her innermost essence. Today's hectic lifestyle calls nearly everyone to the desire for solitude at some time. The possibility of investing a few days alone and then possibly a few weeks in solitude can offer refreshment and reveal feelings and attitude about extending this time. Let this not be just a dream of "someday." Why solitude? Maybe it stems from a fear of the unknown or maybe it is a preference from an inner sense of peace and willingness to live in seclusion. If this lifestyle comes from the desire to stay comfortable or a fear of facing the unknown, one will probably not find their heartthrob, their fulfillment. If it comes from a desire and inner sense of peace, it can provide a provocative and very meaningful lifestyle. Peace and quiet, which the Lord provides, can be enjoyed by taking time to receive it. Meditating, listening to the Lord, gives Him time to answer what is requested in prayer. Prayer without reflection is only monologue. Meditation is allowing dialogue and lets one sense what the Lord has available. Geographical areas can promote a life of solitude. Some live with solitude in the city. Desert living in the southwest gives a year-round climate that is compatible to a single lifestyle. This area can provide privacy and not require the four-season routine of working with the changes of weather. When we lived on the Mojave Desert in California, I enjoyed traveling out of town and down a sandy road where I could be in my own space, clear my thoughts and enjoy the solitude. It created a beautiful memory, as well. From my journal, "Standing on a plateau, seeing many miles in all directions, I hear the ringing of silence in my ears. The ever so soft touch of a breeze whispers. I hear it. Listen!" We now live by a lake so I experience my solitude with nature by taking walks where I can feel the breeze, watch the ripples on the water, and cherish the view of wildlife scampering about. It is refreshing and offers that bit of adjustment so I can come back home refreshed with a clear mind. Scripture offers many references to meditation. Solitude provides the means to listen to the Lord's guidance, even if it is for just a few moments or a few days. If one is willing to accept a more complete lifestyle of solitude, there are mountain wilderness cabins, plains and timberlands that can provide solitude from society. I have read about authors and actors who have desired to have a tentative time of solitude for various reasons. Some find they are content with this lifestyle and choose to continue. It might be wise to experiment with the effect by giving this actuality a three or six-month endeavor. Becoming friendly with one's self alone may include a gradual learning process. I think of Thoreau at Walden's Pond. What an opportunity! "Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself" - Henry David Thoreau. Solitude and simplistic lifestyles may go hand-in-hand. Many do not care to invest their lives in solitude but they do desire a more simplistic style of living. Most need some kind of human connection that includes a degree of intimacy. There are not many who can exist as a recluse. There is someone, family or friend, with whom one can share that will offer the satisfaction of not being completely alone in the world. The ideal for most is to balance solitude and connection. Whether in solitude or in companionship, there is an assurance in making do, in carrying on, in holding things together. If one desires a space of solitude in an otherwise very busy and social life, a desirable block of time daily or weekly can be claimed when one can totally close herself away from the world. This might be a walk in the country or in an unpopulated wooded area or it may be in one's home. The time span is best when it is expansive enough to offer time to realize the privacy and make use of it in the way most desired. This is sacred time. It is possible to seek and take this special time. One can create her own back yard haven, her own little space in the outdoor world. A place to pray, read, watch the clouds, star gaze! A ritual of nurturing one's self as often as necessary can develop. It is good to be able to snuggle in and enjoy a quiet hide-away space. Each person is responsible for her personal solitude. Anyone has the freedom to choose the depth, quality and quantity of solitude she prefers. When given the circumstances, the alone time can be embraced and considered useful. It might help by tapping into creativity. Solitude can allow a return to creative, imaginative pursuits that have been cast aside for many years. Maybe it has been a dream to learn a musical instrument, or make pottery, or keep a journal or a diary, or study languages. These activities can be accomplished in a pleasurable solitary pursuit. Getting to know one's deepest feelings, opinions, and attitudes is one of the tasks of living that can offer the most serenity and pleasure. Solitude is important to our quality of life, our completeness, and our ability to love others. One does not have to be a monk to find solitude, notes Merton; solitude can be found in the act of contemplation and silent reflection in everyday life. Hope that you found God's Goodness nestled deeply within if the following might have been a part of your experience! Vacation by Dusty Reed Buzz of activity; Quick snatches of quiet time on short nature walk. Time in conversation; Elusive time away from talkfest. Inner thoughts pressed; Attempt to meditate at midnight - too tired. Feel guilty sleeping late; Desire to rise early. Quiet spot in woods; Careful! Poison ivy and poison oak. Oh, where can I find solitude within? ~ ~ ~ Encroachment by Dusty Reed Quiet evenings Under a starlit sky; Listening to the cottonwood leaves Rustle in the breeze. An unwelcome intrusion: A noisy dirt bike going by. I found the solution to the dilemmas above ~ by taking action and not "giving up" taking quiet time: By Dusty Reed Action accomplishes our ambitions. Enjoying life now can become a part of one's personality, sometimes without the understanding of how much it has developed within. Dropping all worries of the past and future allows personality to reflect a relaxed and enjoyable attitude toward life. Relationships with others become more dynamic, magnetic and sincere. Having something worthwhile to share helps us feel satisfaction with ourselves. Others sense this and enjoy being with us. Improvement within grows through communication with others. It provides a clearer and more tangible path of life. Personality continues to find fulfillment. What are we doing with life now to develop a fulfilling personality? What can we do for society? More important, what can we do for our loved ones and acquaintances to help them enjoy life more fully? We can develop activities that will allow us to put our mark on society. What effect do we want to have? Whom do we want to help? What can we do to show another person we care? A quiet time set aside for personal thoughts, communicating with others and establishing activities can provide fulfillment. There is an inner glow of joy when we do our part for humankind. We can begin right now to accomplish our satisfying ambitions. Some sites I recommend: Retreat Centers Listed by State It is my joy to share with you that I continue to add new rose drawings and some photographs available at art.com! You can view them at http://www.artistrising.com/shop/search/N/0/Ntk/all/Ntt/dusty+reed/Num/1/Roses. I now have some of my rose drawings at an auction site, http://www.artbyus.com/auctions.php?a=6&b=6145 Art By Us And, I have a page with note cards (for sale) with some of my rose drawings. You can check it out by going https://www.angelfire.com/ia/stburst/rosesdescript.html - Rose Note Cards. I have been posting some of my other drawings now at Dusty's Art and at Dusty's Gallery My sister-in-spirit, Sunny, has several of her drawings and has added new photos at art.com, too, at Sunny's Place And, for anyone who enjoys playing at ebay, lots of goodies (records, books & post cards - occasionally some nic nacs) are available at Dusty's eBay You are welcome to forward this newsletter to friends who might be interested! If they would like to subscribe (at no cost), they can write to me at With Expansion Encounters as Subject. Thanx muchly! Working toward consideration and to better humanity, we want to encourage free enterprise, free speech. We are Life Now, a spiritual happening on and off the Internet. Pathway ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Life Now ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Enjoy every moment!
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