For the majority of this past summer, I spent my time alone in a shack.

Yep, the 5 by 7 foot hut on the corner of hole six and hole seventeen was my “home away from home” for countless hours these past several months.

I worked on a golf course snack stand, where I saw a few people wander past or ask me to top off their Styrofoam cups of water once every ten or so minutes... or once every two hours. I had wayyyyy too much time on my hands during those lengthy seven hour shifts. It was time that I spent alone—so incredibly alone—surrounded by adult coloring books, “thrilling” summer reads, and the occasional text message.

To some, this job would seem like the bomb. I mean, I was getting paid to read, color, and complete my snack-stand attendant duties. Sweet, right?! Don't get me wrong, I really did love my job; but towards the end of the summer, I found myself feeling anxious about going into work. I struggled with the idea of just simply being there, scared that I would be swallowed by the silence and loneliness that accompanied me in that shack. I soon realized that what I was scared of was in fact, boredom.

Please… someone tell me I’m not the only one like this.

In an age where everything is at our fingertips, trapped behind the glass of our smartphones or computers, we can access anything in a matter of seconds. With that extreme power and speed, we expect everything to be fast. When swiftness is taken away, we get bored.

I was uncomfortable with the silence. I felt awkward when I just sat and thought. I got so angry with myself for not being content with the relaxation and simplicity of the job.

… But why? Why do we, as humans, find it so challenging to just sit and let ourselves dig into our thoughts? Why do we feel the need for constant stimulation? Why do we struggle with just simply being?

I found those answers the moment I realized that I didn't observe enough. I wasn't patient enough. I didn’t enjoy the hours of self-reflection.

I didn't—I couldn’t—embrace the solitude.

Solitude. "The state of being alone; seclusion".

When I hear that word, I immediately give it negative connotations. I mean, we are supposed to be surrounded by people! We are supposed to laugh and learn and love and always be immersed in activity, right?!

Wrong.

Activity, connections, and relationships are necessary for a healthy, happy life; but periods of alone time and stillness are vital to our personal well-being. I find that in those moments of stillness, we are able to encounter truths about ourselves and about what we need as individuals.

As I sit and reflect on my job, I am faced with the question: What did I learn from those extensive hours of silence?

I learned the true power of positive thinking. When all I could hear were my own thoughts swimming around in my head, I found that it was crucial for me to think positively. It was so easy to dwell over the loneliness or the boredom I felt during those seemingly never-ending shifts. Some days it took everything to shift my negative thoughts into optimistic, positive thoughts; but, those were the days I understood the importance of a positive outlook on life.

I learned the impact of conversation. After protracted hours of silence, I looked forward to the simple exchanges of day-to-day life. Before my summer job, the timid 75-year-old man asking about my plans for the future would have annoyed me, but now, I find myself seeking those conversations out. The pre-teen boys and girls golfing every Friday morning—ordering at least two chocolate chunk cookies each—would have bugged me before, but now I enjoy that sarcastic banter with kids. Silence gave me an appreciation for (even the tiniest bit) of friendly interaction.

I learned to treasure both moments of solitude and moments of companionship alike. I live for rolling the windows down on a sultry summer day and jamming out with my best friends. I always love a good, long chat with an old friend. I enjoy going to parties and catching up with people I haven’t seen in awhile. But, on the other hand, I now also live for the days I can curl up on my couch and read a novel. I now love sitting out on my deck and watching the breeze whip through the trees. I now enjoy spending time engulfed in my own personal thoughts.

It’s pretty neat how I got paid to (well… work, but also) learn all these nifty things like: appreciating the calm, taking more time for my personal needs, finding happiness in alone time, balancing periods of activity with periods of solitude, and knowing how to properly restock a beverage refrigerator so it is “up to par” for the next work day… Hehe!

I’ve challenged myself to work several moments of solitude into my daily life, and I challenge you to do the same. Who knows what beautiful things we can encounter in those flashes of serenity?