Saturday, September 8, 2012

Solitude

Hello Friends.
MOM and I were watching TV when an add came on for a Kindle or a tablet or something like that.  And in the add were people out in the wilderness enjoying creation and one another's company.  Then, BAM, out comes the electronic thingy.  Are you kidding me?!!  I can not imagine being in such a place and pulling out that thing to make sure I am "connected".  Don't get me wrong.  MOM and I have some beautiful relationships that have been created on the inter-web, especially here in Blogville.  When we were in the wilds of Idaho, sure we thought of lots of our Blogville friends, but not once did we wish our cell phone had reception so we could "connect".  So this got me to thinking.  I'm going to throw in some pictures of this weekend in between my thoughts so you don't get too bored.

It's flood the yard day

The newest “apocalypse” series “Revolution” poses the ultimate disaster of a world, not poisoned by nuclear fallout, not a world taken over by squirrels, but a truly horrifying scenario — a world “gone dark.” In other words, a world without the power grid, a world where we are cut off from all of our electronic connections.

How “alone” would you be in such a place? Do you have commitments and connections that would help support and sustain you without the benefit of electricity? Can you find solidarity in genuine solitude?

I think there might be a fish in there.

Jesus sought out solitude and embraced community in the same breath.  Jesus sought solitude so that he could experience the personal solidarity of the divine-human relationship.

Look I am blowing bubbles

When Jesus himself needed to "re-boot", he went apart — so that he would not come a-part. Jesus did not seek solitude to shut out the world. Jesus did not seek solitude to be solitary. Jesus sought solitude to be in solidarity with God. Jesus sought solitude to up the amps of God’s presence. In his alone-time Jesus never was truly alone, or lonely. It was when he was alone that Jesus stood most fully before God and felt the fullness of divine love.

Here fishy fishy

I think humans mistake solitude for alone-ness.  They think solitude is solitary. The truth is solitude is relationally charged, since it is time alone with God, which is the relationship for which we were created.

Me and my stick

I think the internet connection is craved because so many think that when the power goes off . . . the power goes off.  NOT SO. When we stand before the Creator, the power goes on full force. The power of connection. The power of relationship. The power of love.  When we find the time to stand alone and in prayer before God — we are never alone. We are plugged into the life-sustaining force of the universe. We are interfaced with our Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.

Happy Bert

It’s these sit-down sessions, these sit-down solitudes with our Lord that enable us to stand up for truth, walk toward each other in need, see and create beautiful, and kneel down in service to the least, last and lost. It’s these sit-down solitudes with God that stirs the souls to sing.

My good friends Baci and Logan

All this made me think of the Redwoods trees.  The Redwoods survive and live to grow to great heights, because they spread their roots out. Redwoods create a network, and “internet” root system, holding each other up, strengthening the soil in which they are standing. They are singular, but they are completely connected. They are alone, monarchs of the forest, but they are kept upright and strong by their relationships.

So friends I hope you spend some time today "re-booting".  Spending time alone is not a negative thing, not a sad thing.  For we are never alone.  And this time set apart is good for our souls, it is good for our health, it is good for our outlook.  And when you are also connected to a great support system and community (such as Blogville) all the better.
Blessings,
Goose





39 comments:

  1. Fishies? Catch them, Goose!!! You guys sure love the water, but it totally creeps ME out!:)
    Cotton

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  2. I think I use the internet too much sometimes. The last time I took a long vacation I didn't allow myself to use the internet and it felt sooooo good. Great pictures there too!

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  3. Dear Goose,
    Mommy is one of the most connected peoples we knows. Her Daddy was a programmer in the 50's! Mommy realizes there is a definite addiction to what peoples can do with computers. Mommy has always made sure her kids and her has "down time" and real nature time! my human brothers (27-41 & 5 grandkids) all follows that philosophy.
    Let go and let God!
    There is more to life than screens
    Kisses
    Nellie and her Mommy

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  4. I actually enjoyed the solitude the last time the power went out here. I spent the hours crocheting just like a pioneer woman (only I had a battery operated lantern) until the power came back on.

    Cindy

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  5. That's a beautiful perspective Goose! I definitely enjoy the communicationism, especially the internet, but I could and have turned it off on occasion, when I go out of town! :-) I don't like being all by myself at all, but I love being alone with Domeek! I don't need anything...as long as we are hanging out!

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  6. Enjoy your re-boot, furriends. Mommy says she likes her time, too. Have a great Sunday and if you don't mind, please purray fur our furriends at Zoolatry, (Ann and Vic). They could use them. XOXO

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  7. the times no power and that extra quiet feeling is nice
    Benny & Lily

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  8. Woof! Woof! Living upcountry our internet connection is off n on. We enjoy our togetherness. We also look up in the sky a lot and aware that we are never alone and being blessed and watched all the time. Happy Sunday. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  9. Such a wet story! Sealed with a kiss Charlotte

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  10. Goose , Mommy loves this post for a couple reasons. First beclaws of the pictures of you of course. Next it made her really think and that can be a good thing(well mostly). There have been times when we lost power and it was off for a couple of days and she has some really good memories of spending time with my Sister and Daddy, sometimes talking and sometimes all just sitting together and reading or just thinking, she thinks that is a good thing to happen once in a while, just for a chance to really look around and inside and realize what we have. Thank you for this post and making her think. Thank you for the most pawsome pictures of you.

    Loveys Sasha

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  11. Nice post Goose. We hope you had a lovely time. Have a lovely Sunday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  12. What a beautiful post Goose! Sometimes you just gotta stop and smell the roses so to speak.

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  13. amen and amen. to funny, i had to comment because my friend just emailed me and said she won a kindle and is giving it to me since she already has a kindle and a kindle fire. i am thankful for it to download books only. i would not buy one but will take it as a gift.
    so many people can not go anywhere without phones and internet. i see people everywhere ignoring God's beauty completely and ignoring their families and friends while they chat or email or surf or play games. nothing wrong with those but not in excess.

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  14. Last thing we would think of, if we were out in the beautiful wilds..would be to " connect " the only reason we would " connect " for..if a huge bear was chasing us..bol..Lovely post Goose xx00xx
    Mollie and Alfie

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  15. I see that your BIG CATCH has given you that FISHING FEVER.

    I wouldn't want to be doing Kindle stuffs if I could be OUTSIDE doing GRRRRRREAT STUFFS.

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  16. I'll admit, we bring a laptop along, but it's only there if we decide to change plans or look to see if we can find a camping spot (if it's late). It's nice to have in case of emergencies, but we sure don't need it once we get there!

    Sam

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  17. You're right Goose, I remember me for our day without power - we all were sitting and waiting for the power without any idea what we could do... not even me was occurring for something...

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  18. GOOSE OH MY YOU HIT THE PROVERBIAL NAIL ON THE HEAD TODAY!!
    My mom agrees the internets are wonderful but when given the choice of communing with God's beauty and loving friends in person we say YES!!!

    My peeps are going to the beautiful NC mtns in Oct. They will be camping at the Hampton Inn....MOL. Mom's friends asked if she would have her iPad...Mom said NO WAY!! When we are there we will be outside enjoying the beauty of the area. Mom will have her cell phone just in case my sitter needs her.

    Hugs Madi your BFFF

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  19. AMEN Goose! Yes, we need to reboot every now and again!

    Your friends,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  20. Those are excellent observations. I know I rely too much on technology and sometimes that backfires. One day last week I looked forward to getting out my Nook and reading a book over lunch break. Battery too low to open the book = no reading that day! :(

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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  21. That's a beautiful message, Goose! I think that's why we like our adventures or one-on-one time. It's our way of disconnecting for a while - and Mom says it's when she does some of her best praying time.
    Thanks for a great lesson!
    Play bows,
    Zim

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  22. You look very well rested and relaxed in that last picture, looks like you've been having a ton of fun as usual. I agree, sometimes I think my generation forgets to put down all the technology and enjoy the world around them.

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  23. Hi Goose, always good advice! We've just nominated you fur a couple of awards on my blog! Hope you like them!

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  24. Happy Sunday Friends, Powerful post and thought provoking too. I still remember life before cell phones and computers and we survived just fine. We need to tune out so we can tune in to God. Thanks for sharing.
    Noreen & Hunter

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  25. Hi Y'all!

    Loved your post. The other night I was trying to read your previous post when we lost our internet connection. So this afternoon thought I'd come back and catch up.

    Love this post. Well said. My Humans are both loaners and I think that is what has made them so perfect for each other. They both love being out in nature with me and are always sad when we have to come back to real life. However, since Papa's health has been slipping these past few years, my Human always makes sure she has her cell phone with her. She never turns the thing on though...and if it would ever ring, I'm not sure she'll know how to answer it.

    Y'all come back now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  26. I love your thoughts on solitude. And on disconnecting -- to connect, so to speak. There is so much noise in the world. It's good to take time to be at peace. Thank you for the reminder.

    I'm wagging for you.

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  27. Howdy Goose, you can't beat being outside with friends and family. Why would you want anything else. Hope your weekend was wonderful. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  28. Rebooting is THE BEST! I cannot agree with this reflection more. Separating is really not separating at all, but connecting in the most important, beautiful, inspiring, ways. When we disengage from "the grind" - in whatever form it represents, we peel back the layers of "the rush" and get back to "the Life." It's a beautiful way to live. Thank you for this reminder. Think we'll spend this evening on the back porch taking in the evening.

    Happy seeing beautful!

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  29. I agree that we need both community and solitude. Sometimes I spend too much time in one and not enough in the other.

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  30. Hey Dude, your right, I heard my vickie say something about another trip up to the mountains soon. You won't believe all the fish that were jumpin in the lake while My Vickie made me sit and watch those two crazy moose. All I wanted to do was swim and she made me sit nice.

    Hey Abby, Scrappy, Willa and me wanna thank you for inviting us over Saturday. You have a great yard, man it is big and I still say your human throws better than any body in my family. Seriously.

    See ya
    Bert

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  31. I couldn't agree more about solitude and unplugging, Goose. We all use that time in different ways but the end result is that we reboot in a wonderful way. I wouldn't want an internet connection in the wilderness - no way, no how.

    You are such a smart guy!

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  32. Great post, we spent a wonderful weekend unplugged and just enjoyed being. We hope your weekend was great also.

    The silvers and more

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  33. Thank you goose's mom
    stella rose's mom

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  34. It is certainly true that some can be alone in a room full of people and some can be connected out in the wilderness. I think people are all different and the place one person finds God may not be the same for the next person.

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