Solitude

"Solitude is not loneliness, although both mean being alone. Solitude means being alone to oneself and to be alone with God. It means a lack of noise and distraction, but the inner silence does not lead to emptiness. It means time to listen, to recollect oneself, to let God’s presence take hold. It means time and quietude to think things out and not be propelled along without reflection. It means time to pray."  ~Archbishop Rembert Weakland