It is Thanksgiving week and I am not at home. As I sit at my niece’s dining room table, I pay attention to the kitchen happenings: the quiet conversations between my sister and niece; the clattering of pots and pans; the aromas of French toast on the griddle and bacon frying; and the sight of the dogs getting underfoot and running around expending excess energy.
Being a hermit
Points For and Against
Ever since I can remember, I have thought about being a hermit – escaping from the daily obligations of interacting with society has often been a tempting idea on the theoretical level. However, I have always wondered why I felt like being a hermit seemed like a good idea.
I mean a hermit lives in a cave without the luxuries of today’s society including indoor plumbing, heat and air conditioning, and a refrigerator, microwave and stove, right? Why would I ever think that being a hermit is a good idea based on those conditions? It does not make sense at all, yet the idea of being a hermit persists.
A couple points go against being a hermit because I do love my luxuries.
One thing that attracts me to being a hermit is the fact that I really do like living alone. At home by myself, I can exercise (not often enough), meditate, and explore spirituality without interruption from family members or any pets. I can talk to myself, my spirit guides, and the Universe without any looks of askance.
Thus, let’s give a couple points to being a hermit.
Counting more points
Problems Arise
However, problems arise when I am out and about and I forget to keep my talking and my questions to myself. People answer questions not directed to them – it’s not their fault as they didn’t know I was talking to myself or my spirit guides that they can’t see. When this situation comes to pass, I thank the people who answer my questions while I smile and wish them a happy day.
Let’s give a point to being a hermit because if I were one, I wouldn’t have to worry about what others think because others wouldn’t be present in the cave with me.
Problems also arise as I interact with people who are sad or mad. I absorb their energy and it changes how I feel – sometimes, I don’t know why I am sad or why I feel out of sorts. I look at my life, my day, my experiences and see absolutely nothing to be sad or mad about. Then, I remember my empath traits and work on releasing those energies I am carrying around that are not mine.
Enter more points for being a hermit because if I’m living alone in a cave, I’m pretty sure I’m not picking up on others’ vibes.
Not being a hermit
Playing Games and Hanging Around
I don’t watch or listen to the news. I don’t like events where large crowds gather. I don’t enjoy treasure hunting, i.e., going to garage sales, thrift stores or antique malls. These types of activities drain me because of all the different energies that emanate from them.
More points go to being a hermit.
On the other hand, I enjoy smaller group activities like board games and card games. I love spending time with my family and friends (in small groups – smile).
Hermits probably don’t play games and hang around family, so let’s give a couple points to not being a hermit.
The family I am visiting sits at the dining room table and breakfast is served. We have a powdered sugar option in a fancy shaker and two choices of syrup – one brand reaches way back to my childhood and I am reminded of breakfasts in a home filled with love and laughter. I don’t remember the conversations specifically, but they touch on past events, current projects, and future plans. This isn’t my home although I am a visitor who belongs.
Returning home
My Hermitage
When I am dropped off after a day’s worth of driving, I enter my home with great gladness – gladness that I got to spend time with some of my family for several days and gladness that I am home again.
Being home is the perfect place for me. I have a lot of space here that is all mine. I can have music blaring or I can have utter silence. I get to make all the decisions and enjoy whatever I want without consulting anyone else. Pumpkin pie for breakfast? Yes. Sleep in? Yes. Change my mind? Yes. Change my mind again? Yes.
I cannot quite articulate how well I enjoy being home by myself, but I can tell you this:
I have decided that there are more points for my being a hermit than against. I have decided that I am changing my vision of what a hermit is by eliminating the hermit’s cave. Henceforth, the Home of the UnBroken Porch will be my hermitage.
I don’t have to be a hermit in seclusion far away from the madding crowd. I can be a hermit in my own home, and when I feel like it, I can easily venture into society. Because I live in my own world, I can call it whatever I want - no one is here to argue with me.
With good humor and lovingkindness, your newfound hermit friend,
Angela Jane