Babbling, drivel and self-justification
Reference.com defines solitude thusly:
Solitude is a state of seclusion or isolation, i.e. lack of contact with people or love. It may stem from bad relationships, deliberate choice, contagious disease, disfiguring features, repulsive personal habits, mental illness, or circumstances of employment or situation
Little Cottonwood Canyon near where I live defines solitude as a mountain resort; a place replete with stunning vistas and clear mountain streams.
Walden found "nothing so companionable".
Psychology Today says:
Solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely. It is a positive and constructive state of engagement with oneself. Solitude is desirable, a state of being alone where you provide yourself wonderful and sufficient company.
I must admit that I prefer the latter three definitions to the first. I am, and have been for some time, attempting to learn how to deal with a life of solidtude. I would like to think that I am not in position of a contagious disease, disfiguring features, repulsive personal habits or mental illness, although I must admit that some days it feels like all of those must be true.
Today I decided to embrace solitude from a positive standpoint. I rose early, found the day to be lovely and dressed. I encouraged myself to come with me and the three of us headed for parts north. Logan is a lovely little college town some miles and a canyon or two away from me. There was an Arts Festival there today. The call it the Summerfest. I wandered through the booths, getting blisters from my new shoes, and thoroughly enjoying myself.
I later walked a few blocks to a farmer's market and picked up some artisan bread, which I ate by a stream. I drove a bit further north to an old farmstand to acquire fresh garlic, assorted "picked this morning" field greens, and the smell of country air. It was a gorgeous day.
I returned home after a while, hot and a bit tired, and took a nap. I finished the day up by going to the local park and watching the fireworks set off to celebrate "Terrace Days" - a silly little celebration which involves high brow things like the "Watermelon Roll" and a parade made up of high school bands and kids on bikes. The fireworks were lovely, and I enjoyed them thoroughly despite, or perhaps because, I was the only one in the park by myself.
When one cannot change the circumstance, one should begin to enjoy it, or at least that's the current theory. So here's to Alice Koller's definition.
Being solitary is being alone well: being alone luxuriously immersed in doings of your own choice, aware of the fullness of your won presence rather than of the absence of others. Because solitude is an achievement.