Solitude on the North Shore

• April 13, 2015
• Hawaii

I used to only associate the word solitude with monks and monasteries.  Silent retreats where you sleep in a small room with nothing more than a bible and a view of deer sipping from a babbling brook.  And that somewhat depressing painting of a white-bearded man praying over soup.  Solitude sounded more like getting punished for staying out after curfew than a spiritual practice.

I’ve come to understand solitude as simply time set aside to recharge.  An observance that promotes rest,  peace,  and renewal.  It sounds so easy,  yet I often neglect my need for it.  It doesn’t have to be quiet or involve wearing a brown hooded tunic,  as nice as it’d be not to have to choose your clothes everyday.

Last fall I found solitude by throwing on my Beats earbuds  ( Which I accidentally washed onetime and they still work,  thanks Dr. Dre! ) and jogging around my in-law’s countryside neighborhood in Ann Arbor,  Michigan.  The leaves were changing colors and falling gently over the road.  The air was just crisp enough you didn’t get hot and warm enough you didn’t get cold.  Christi and I were jogging with their dog who was pulling us along.  The mailman even drove by and waved at us for crying out loud.  My ears were filled with some beautiful noisy 311/rock/funk mix keeping my pace steady.  I didn’t want it to end.  Eventually the run turned into a walk ( Ok,  shortly there after ) and as tired as I was,  I felt renewed.  Strengthened.  Clear headed.  Probably in need of a shower.

I find it in changing my environment,  biking,  journaling,  praying.  Sipping on a cup of coffee.  Alone or walking down a city street,  it can be found anywhere.  It’s resting one part of your mind to free up another.

Recently I found renewal in one of my favorite places in Hawaii;  Haleiwa Town on Oahu’s North Shore.  Once a plantation village,  the now historical district’s buildings still reflect the 1900’s.  Always a fun time to walk around,  with ample places to eat  (  I can always go for Killer Tacos ),  surf or stand-up paddle board,  enjoy some shave ice,  or just relax.

On this particular day,  I just walked around aimlessly and took a few pics:

Click to enlarge 

Where do you find solitude?

Cheers,

A

• Haleiwa
• Hawaii
• North Shore
• Oahu
• Rest
• Solitude