The Power of Solitude

"Introverts prefer to work independently, and solitude can be a catalyst to innovation...If this is true--if solitude is an important key to creativity--then we might all want to develop a taste for it.  We'd want to teach our kids to work independently.  We'd want to give employees plenty of privacy and autonomy.  Yet increasingly we do just the opposite." ~ Susan Cain, Quiet

"You spend so much time with other people.  You spend so much time trying to get people to like you.  You know other people more than you know yourself.  You've studied them.  You know about them.  You want to hang out like them.  You want to be just like them.  And you know what?  You've invested so much time in them, you don't know who you are.  I challenge you to spend time by yourself." ~Eric Thomas, We are Created to be an Individual

Right now, I'm reading a book called Quiet, by Susan Cain.

It's a book about introverts and their efforts to survive in a world heavily focus on extroversion.  In addition to reading this book, I've been listening to a lot of motivational remixes when I run.  These remixes contain a number of inspirational quotes and speeches that truly give me a "kick" as I move forward on the treadmill.  And today, I spotted these photos captured by Benoit Lapray (source can be found here):

Superman

Superman

Batman

The Flash

Captain America

Iron Man

Wonder Woman

Silver Surfer

I'm beginning to see solitude is a powerful thing.  Imagery displays this.  Lyrics demonstrate this.  Research shows this.  We absolutely need quiet to thrive.  Yet our society seems to believe differently.  Susan Cain describes that our society has shifted from a focus of character to a focus of personality.  We believe our personalities are going to carry us further than our character.  Having learned about this concept, I believe our society's focus from character to personality is causing a lot of troubles in our society today.  Just my opinion.  What do you think?

"I think it's pretty easy to imagine superheroes as lonely.  Because they are different, and they have a big charge on their shoulders, so I guess they need to be alone sometime to recover a kind of serenity and to remember why they fight." Benoit Lapray, Moviepilot

As you ponder this topic of introversion, I refer to Benoit's quote as a piece of reflection.  What are you fighting for?  And I don't mean physically.  What are you striving for?  Have you found serenity in your attempt to "fight"?  What would some personal reflection do for you?  "I challenge you to spend time by yourself" (Thomas).  Remember who you are and what you're fighting for.  Take some quality time to yourself and listen to the voice within.  You'll be amazed at what you find.  Even if introversion is not your strong suit, give it some time.  Help to recreate a culture of character; a culture that focuses more on the ones we care about, rather than just ourselves.