The Life of a Hermit

You ever wonder what it would be like to live like a hermit, or at least have the mind of one? Well, because of some physical limitations that have followed me most of my life, I had to learn how to be content and happy with that sort of lifestyle. Seemingly from the point of view of most people, that must be a sad situation, but let me put your mind to rest, it's not at all. Now part of that, I believe, is that I had to learn that very early as a child because there was a lot of chaos and dysfunction in my family, so I remember quite vividly many hours spent alone away from all of that. And it's interesting, as I recall, it wasn't a bad thing. I had things that I loved doing on my own as a child, and most if not all of them included being still and quiet.

One way was finding a quiet nurturing place and simply being still and taking in nature. One that stands out is lying under a huge pine tree stretched out across a bed of pine needles, simply looking at the clouds, or climbing a huge pecan tree across the street, away from everyone to watch the neighbors going about their activities outside. Or decorating a shed in the backyard, pretending it was my house.  But no matter how I found ways to set myself apart, it worked, and I wouldn't change those days for anything. So what did I learn during those few precious years? That I was in fact content to spend time alone in the quiet, which should have been very difficult with a family of 4 girls, and a very angry father, but by some miracle I was able to pull it off, and most grateful that however I managed to do that, it has carried over into my adult life.

Now, until I started getting worse physically, I was in fact still lying under trees on a blanket, reading, napping, drawing, writing....etc.....and could still capture that childlike nature that was still inherent in me. Of course being a bit more fragile, climbing the big tress went by the wayside, but as long as I could be close to them, I was fine. I did have an apartment once that was surrounded by very tall pine trees, which was heaven on earth, but unfortunately I moved away to a place I thought was going to make me much better. I dream of those pine trees quite often and wish I could recreate that environment, but so far have had to find others ways to get that feeling. Hence, living like a hermit.

So my point, and trust me, I do try to have one eventually, is that I believe that even though I am lacking the trees, I am still able to create and live the life that is good and nurturing. Quiet is probably the most important element to living the life of a hermit. To get away from all the noise that covers up those incredibly precious crickets that you hear at 4 in the morning. The only thing I hear at this moment is the distant hum of a jet, that comes and goes, but I allow the crickets to overpower that sound. A hermit wants to have their mind clear and open to contemplate life and the real and true things that it has to offer all of us. Being alone and quiet allows and is open for creativity to appear when you least expect it. It allows us to pay attention to the breath, and how precious it is when you haven't been able to breathe properly for a long time because of pain. It allows you to remember and think about what is really good for you individually in this life with your own pursuits, dreams, hopes and doing what you feel like God meant for you to do while you're here. And whether you believe it or not, we were all put here for a very specific purpose, whether you live like a hermit, or live in the middle of time square.

So for today, and in this moment of quiet, with the crickets and tapping of my keys, I will be thankful that I, even with all the limitations and pain, or even with the unfortunate or trying things that happen right outside my door each day, I can also be thankful for those moments of peace that most often bring clarity that even as a hermit, I am in fact doing what God needs me to do each day. Embrace my inner child and what she needs each day, love myself and others, and simply be available to connect in whatever way I was meant to connect. So if you are in desperate need of peace and quiet, and wonder what life would be like living like a hermit, just remember, you have the extraordinary gift each day to not be constantly in search of peace and quiet, but can actually find it and experience it each day.

I encourage you to find a tree this weekend, throw out a blanket, and look at the clouds roll by.........you alone, or to share with your children or grandchildren. What an amazing way to teach them how easy it is to find peace and quiet, and the simple precious things in life.