"It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
I shared this Emerson quote recently and this beautiful photo I found. They seemed a perfect fit, for many reasons.
Fall seems to me the best time to remember the "independence of solitude". All around me I can see Nature in all of its forms - tall and tiny - letting go, freeing itself of all that had accumulated. Maples, aspens, and oaks all celebrate their new independence with explosions of color, freely given to the winds to strew wherever they wish. There is no sadness in their sacrifice. In fact, I would argue the trees are as beautiful as they ever will be, even as parts of them are dying. What a reminder of the power of Love. It transforms all through it's willingness to give all. And therein lies real Freedom.
The photo and quote also remind me of the need we all have for solitude as well. I can imagine myself walking down that quiet lane between the trees: Just the soft swishing of the leaves as my feet sauntered through them. The fog gently muffling the world in cottony, cool, wispy walls. My steps would be slow and measured, because I would want to drink in all of the beauty of a world at peace with itself around me. My mind would naturally quiet. Though alone, I would feel in relationship to every single living thing around me. Nothing demanded of me, yet everything given. But only if I was willing to be alone for a few moments.
Recently Deborah shared this photo and quote with me.
"Truth has a way of simplifying everything. All that isn't love begins to drift away, just like the leaves drifting to ground in fall. Beautiful really." (Deborah DeMattia)
So nice to know that my wife, my best friend, my love, shares the same sense of appreciation for the beauty of fall and knows of the sweetness and freedom found in solitude. Lucky me. Lucky us.
