[pct-l] Solitude and Loneliness

[Mtnned at aol.com (Mtnned@aol.com)]

Donna,
 
Having done almost all my long distance explorations "alone," I can hardly  
resist this thread!
 
Life is made richer through relationship with others.  Sometimes a  little 
time alone is needed to search the soul or spirit, you know, get away  from the 
distractions and temptations of society in order to "clear the mind"  and sort 
things out.  But these times are usually brief.  For the most  part, we get 
lonely without other people around.
 
However, extended time alone in the mountains does bring you closer to your  
spiritual side and you begin to question what life is all about and what 
really  matters.  When you're young and there is so much that's new to see and do,  
this connectedness and ensuing questions rarely comes up.  But, about the  
age when most people want to do a long distance hike, after they've tasted some  
of life as an adult, there seems to be a rising desire within themselves to 
seek  answers to these questions society doesn't give, thus the desire for 
solitude to  take the time to listen inward.  Sure, you get lonely when you're on 
your  own, but if you stay a bit longer, quiet yourself a bit more, you might 
find  you're not alone after all.
 
Mtnned
 
 
Ps.:  There are those on this List who have travelled alone for months  at at 
time. Do you get lonely and what has it taught  you?