The Saturday Writing Quote — solitude and community

IMGP2011“Solitude does not necessarily mean living apart from others; rather, it means never living apart from one’s self. It is not about the absence of other people—it is about being fully present to ourselves, whether or not we are with others. Community does not necessarily mean living face-to-face with others; rather, it means never losing the awareness that we are connected to each other. It is not about the presence of other people— it is about being fully open to the reality of relationship, whether or not we are alone.”

—– Parker Palmer, A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward An Undivided Life (2009) (via Nancy Rose)

(photo: Trees in the Mist, by Leslie)