DOES A BODY GOOD

SOLITUDE

How lovely to enjoy a few days of solitude. Time to break free of demands on body and soul - waking when fully rested, working when inspiration hits, eating only when truly hungry...solitude for me refreshes my being. You may ask, "Isn't that what spas are all about? Hot tubs? Vacations?" Yes, those are lovely, too. But they don't take the place of having some moments of solitude where a person has to come to grips with who they are and what their purpose is. As much as I find moments of solitude to be a lovely gift though, I wouldn't want too much of a good thing. For instance, my protagonist Jillian Bradley is a widow and childless - her solitude is difficult at times. But peace, tranquility, listening to that still small voice coming from your heart...does a body good. Have a lovely day, my friends.
~Nancy Jill

ESCAPE TO THE SEA

   Most of  the women I know work outside the home. If there are children at home, finding solitude can be elusive, if at all. One woman really needed solitude for survival. Her name was Anne Morrow Lindbergh and she went through the horrendous trial of having their 20 month old baby kidnapped and murdered, not too far from their home. What most people don't know is that she went on to have five more children and lived a full and productive life as a bestselling author. I read her book, Gift from the Sea, last summer, while staying with my grandchildren, and I was enthralled at the loveliness of the book. Anne's children insisted she be given two weeks alone on an private island to renew herself every year. This she did, and wrote comparing the various stages in the life of life a woman to different shells she had collected. The book is beautifully illustrated and remains a popular read all over the world. If you don't have the luxury of having some solitude to renew yourself, I would suggest reading Gift from the Sea. You'll find it to be a lovely respite from the cares of the day. To order it, just click the link below.
http://www.amazon.com/Gift-Sea-Anne-Morrow-Lindbergh/dp/0679406832

A Little Solitude

Since I can't go outside because of the cedar pollen, my husband is treating two of our children and our son's fiance to sushi tonight. It's not my favorite, but it is theirs, so this will be a good thing. And the solitude will be quite lovely. I may choose to play my piano. Or, I may simply use the time I would normally spend preparing dinner for my husband and I to read "Endless Night" by Agatha Christie. Whatever I choose, it will be lovely to spend a quiet evening at home. What will you be doing this evening?