--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Solitude is very different from a…" description: "\"Solitude is very different from a 'time-out' from our busy lives. Solitude is the very ground from which community grows. Whenever we pray alone, study..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c4/henri-nouwen-600_alone_solitude-is-very-different-from-a-time-o_904217.png" --- # Solitude is very different from a 'time-out' from our busy… ![“Solitude is very different from a 'time-out' from our busy lives. Solitude is the very ground from which community grows. Whenever we pray alone, study, read, write, or simply spend quiet time away from the places where we interact with each other directly, we are potentially opened for a deeper…” quote by Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c4/henri-nouwen-600_alone_solitude-is-very-different-from-a-time-o_904217.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c4/henri-nouwen-600_alone_solitude-is-very-different-from-a-time-o_904217.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c4/henri-nouwen-600_alone_solitude-is-very-different-from-a-time-o_904217.png) > “Solitude is very different from a 'time-out' from our busy lives. Solitude is the very ground from which community grows. Whenever we pray alone, study, read, write, or simply spend quiet time away from the places where we interact with each other directly, we are potentially opened for a deeper intimacy with each other.” [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Solitude is a deep, intentional separation that nurtures inner growth and prepares us for richer community connections. **In simple terms:** Being alone can deepen our relationships with others. Key Takeaway Embrace intentional solitude to strengthen community ties. Themes solitude community spirituality intimacy Mood contemplative reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal prayer - creative writing - study sessions - quiet retreats Key Concepts existential reflection interpersonal growth Questions to Reflect On - How does solitude change your perception of community? - What practices help you move from isolation to intimacy? A Different Perspective Solitude can feel isolating if not balanced with social interaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alone/) [Busy life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/busy-life/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Intimacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intimacy/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) [Quiet time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quiet-time/) [Solitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solitude/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-away/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [He who lives in solitude may make his own laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/he-who-lives-in-solitude-may-make-his-own-laws/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [Solitude. It is way underrated in our world of writing. We stay busy. We act busy. We thrive on busy. The truth is there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-baker/solitude-it-is-way-underrated-in-our-world-of-writing-we-stay-busy-we/) Bonnie Baker > [Loneliness and solitude are two different things. When you are lonely, it is easy to delude yourself into believing that you are on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elif-safak/loneliness-and-solitude-are-two-different-things-when-you-are-lonely/) [Elif Safak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elif-safak/) > [Solitude is different from loneliness, and it doesn't have to be a lonely kind of thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-rogers/solitude-is-different-from-loneliness-and-it-doesn-t-have-to-be-a/) [Fred Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-rogers/) > [Remember that although the distinction can be difficult to draw, loneliness and solitude are different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/remember-that-although-the-distinction-can-be-difficult-to-draw/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [If you want to know anything about community, you have to realize that the contemplative side is essential. Community without retreating and quiet time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/if-you-want-to-know-anything-about-community-you-have-to-realize-that/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The only thing I don't like about acting is that it takes so much time away from my family. Otherwise, I don't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-wahlberg/the-only-thing-i-don-t-like-about-acting-is-that-it-takes-so-much/) [Mark Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-wahlberg/) > [..."And for God's sake, never get into the petty habit of measuring your self-worth against other people's net-worth. As Yogi Ramen preached: 'Every second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/and-for-god-s-sake-never-get-into-the-petty-habit-of-measuring-your/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [There might have been a time when I would give myself away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-lambert/there-might-have-been-a-time-when-i-would-give-myself-away/) [Adam Lambert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-lambert/) > [It seems like a cliche, but you do grow up a lot faster when you travel a lot, go through things like this interview,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-dillon/it-seems-like-a-cliche-but-you-do-grow-up-a-lot-faster-when-you/) [Matt Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-dillon/) > [I just need some time away to remember why I stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/i-just-need-some-time-away-to-remember-why-i-stay/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [The biggest thing I try to do is to unplug and give myself time away from social media and the Internet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franchesca-ramsey/the-biggest-thing-i-try-to-do-is-to-unplug-and-give-myself-time-away/) [Franchesca Ramsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franchesca-ramsey/) > [Debunking bad science should be constant obligation of the science community, even if it takes time away from serious research or seems to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-gardner/debunking-bad-science-should-be-constant-obligation-of-the-science/) [Martin Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-gardner/) > [No matter what job you have, even when it's one you love, it's important to take some time away, both mentally and physically, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-krieger/no-matter-what-job-you-have-even-when-it-s-one-you-love-it-s/) [Ali Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-krieger/) > [I'm not willing to spend too much time away from my kids, so I usually don't work that much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-mann/i-m-not-willing-to-spend-too-much-time-away-from-my-kids-so-i-usually/) [Leslie Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-mann/) ## More by Henri Nouwen > [We are not the healers, we are not the reconcilers, we are not the givers of life. We are sinful, broken, vulnerable people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-are-not-the-healers-we-are-not-the-reconcilers-we-are-not-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The more we touch the intimate love of God which creates, sustains, and guides us, the more we recognize the multitude of fruits that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-we-touch-the-intimate-love-of-god-which-creates-sustains-and/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Feelings of guilt dominate our work as peacemakers we cannot last long. But when we have opened each other's eyes to the great human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/feelings-of-guilt-dominate-our-work-as-peacemakers-we-cannot-last/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [...we all want to hear stories, from the moment we are born to the moment we die. Stories connect our little lives with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-all-want-to-hear-stories-from-the-moment-we-are-born-to-the-moment/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I have found it very important...to let go of my wishes and start hoping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-have-found-it-very-important-to-let-go-of-my-wishes-and-start-hoping/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Simply being with someone is difficult because it asks of us that we share in the other's vulnerability, enter with him or her into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/simply-being-with-someone-is-difficult-because-it-asks-of-us-that-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Somewhere we know that without silence, words lose their meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/somewhere-we-know-that-without-silence-words-lose-their-meaning/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Jesus says, "Keep your heart on the kingdom first. Keep your heart on God's love. Keep focused on the fact that you are God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/jesus-says-keep-your-heart-on-the-kingdom-first-keep-your-heart-on/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [This sounds very simple and maybe even trite, but very few people know that they are loved without condition or limits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/this-sounds-very-simple-and-maybe-even-trite-but-very-few-people-know/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [“The more preoccupied we are with security the more visible the force of death becomes, whether in the form of a pistol beside our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-preoccupied-we-are-with-security-the-more-visible-the-force/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [If you feel a great loneliness and a deep longing for human contact, you have to be extremely discerning...and ask yourself whether this situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/if-you-feel-a-great-loneliness-and-a-deep-longing-for-human-contact/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I choose L'Arche; L'Arche chooses me. I would be dead if I weren't here. I need people to love me and care for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-choose-l-arche-l-arche-chooses-me-i-would-be-dead-if-i-weren-t-here/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God's eyes, called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-truth-even-though-i-cannot-feel-it-right-now-is-that-i-am-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger, and hatred, we have the privileged vocation to be living signs of a love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/in-a-world-so-torn-apart-by-rivalry-anger-and-hatred-we-have-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Where true inner freedom is, there is God. And where God is, there we want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/where-true-inner-freedom-is-there-is-god-and-where-god-is-there-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) [Explore all 452 Henri Nouwen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## More Alone quotes > [I can be taken away from myself quite easily, I kind of start betraying myself and compromising my integrity, to keep someone else happy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-lou-wood/i-can-be-taken-away-from-myself-quite-easily-i-kind-of-start/) [Aimee Lou Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-lou-wood/) > [Perhaps our own opposition to even the level of European integration we have now, let alone any more, is well known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/perhaps-our-own-opposition-to-even-the-level-of-european-integration/) [Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/) > [If your goal is to look different, you'll see results faster with strength training than with cardio alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-kaiser/if-your-goal-is-to-look-different-you-ll-see-results-faster-with/) [Anna Kaiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-kaiser/) > [With my songs, the question is always, 'Can you pull it off live, alone on just an acoustic guitar?' That's the litmus test. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-colvin/with-my-songs-the-question-is-always-can-you-pull-it-off-live-alone/) [Shawn Colvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-colvin/) > [I should have liked to get married, but over many decades I have lived essentially alone. I go to sleep when I'm tired, get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-should-have-liked-to-get-married-but-over-many-decades-i-have-lived/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [I am not alone in that I've had times of unemployment - unemployment is huge amongst disabled people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-jones/i-am-not-alone-in-that-i-ve-had-times-of-unemployment-unemployment-is/) [Rosie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-jones/) > [I never knew a heart could feel so cold so empty so broken until now , I don't know what to say I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-never-knew-a-heart-could-feel-so-cold-so-empty-so-broken-until-now/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you're disabled or different from what general society deems normal, it's fine. There will always be people who won't accept you, but there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millicent-simmonds/if-you-re-disabled-or-different-from-what-general-society-deems/) [Millicent Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millicent-simmonds/) > [Real love is a permanently self-enlarging experience…A Journey With My Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luckybannu/real-love-is-a-permanently-self-enlarging-experience-a-journey-with/) Luckybannu > [“What I'm trying to say is that I spent the last four months learning to be alone, avoiding the world, hating pretty much anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-cremer/what-i-m-trying-to-say-is-that-i-spent-the-last-four-months-learning/) [Andrea Cremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-cremer/) > [I'm used to being alone in a quiet, isolated environment - I'm kind of a low-energy, low-vibration, low-stamina person to begin with - so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-cain/i-m-used-to-being-alone-in-a-quiet-isolated-environment-i-m-kind-of-a/) [Ethel Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-cain/) > [“When I look back at myself at age twenty, what I remember most is being alone and lonely. 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It seems to imply rejection or unpopularity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/how-one-hates-to-think-of-oneself-as-alone-how-one-avoids-it-it-seems/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) [Browse all 3,082 Alone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alone/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Solitude is very different from a 'time-out' from our busy lives. Solitude is the very ground from which community grows. 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