At the tender age of six, I found myself stepping into a new world. My parents, with teary eyes and heavy hearts, left me at the gates of Westcott, my new home away from home. Boarding school became my reality, a place where I would spend the formative years of my life. The journey that began there was solitary, but it shaped me in ways I could never have imagined.
Being away from my parents at such a young age taught me independence. I learned to navigate life on my own, making friends who became my family. Yet, as time passed, most of those friends moved on, their paths diverging from mine. A few stayed in touch, offering moral support from a distance. But when it came to moving ahead in life, I often found myself walking alone.
At Westcott, I observed the world around me with keen eyes. The experiences I had, both good and bad, were my teachers. I learned resilience from the tough times and gratitude from the good ones. Solitude was my constant companion, especially during quiet nights when the world seemed asleep, and it was just me and my thoughts.
High school came and went, followed by college, and then my first job. Each phase of life brought new challenges and new lessons. I faced them all, often alone. It was during these solitary moments that I discovered my inner strength. The journey from adolescence to adulthood was marked by significant milestones, but each one was achieved through my own efforts and determination.
One of the most profound periods of my life was facing a mid-life crisis. It was a time of deep introspection and turmoil. I felt lost, questioning the very foundations of my existence. But even in this dark period, solitude was my ally. It forced me to confront my fears, to dig deep within myself for answers. I realized that the journey of life is inherently solitary, and there is no harm in walking it alone.
Day by day, I kept going. Each morning brought a new opportunity to move forward, to embrace the solitude that had become an integral part of my life. I came to understand that every day is a gift, whether spent with people or in solitude. There are those who provide strength and inspiration, but they may not always be around. It is okay to be without them, to make decisions on your own, and to see the world through your own eyes.
Life’s journey is solitary, but this solitude is not something to fear. It is in these moments of being alone that we find our true selves. We all come into this world alone, and we will leave it alone. Along the way, people will come and go, but the essence of our journey remains solitary.
Accepting this truth can be empowering. Once you embrace solitude, it becomes a source of strength. You learn to rely on yourself, to trust your instincts, and to keep moving forward even when the path is difficult. Solitude gives you the courage to face life’s challenges head-on, without the need for constant validation from others.
Like they say, when you ask God for courage, He gives you opportunities to be courageous. Solitude is one such opportunity. It teaches you to stand tall, to face your fears, and to keep going, no matter what. In the solitude, you find the resilience to weather any storm and the strength to keep walking until someone finds you.
Time, social connections, and emotions are all dynamic, constantly changing. But the solitary journey remains a constant. It is a permanent aspect of life, one that shapes us into who we are meant to be. Embrace it, for it is in solitude that you will find the strength to keep going, the wisdom to make decisions, and the courage to face whatever life throws your way.
