Island Living…
T H E R A P E U T I C T H U R S D A Y
Every once in awhile I get the desire to live the life of a hermit. Yes, there are people who I’d still want to engage with, namely my husband and children (so maybe the word, ‘recluse’ is better?) Whatever. Just in general… I feel like I’d be happy with just Wilson on my own little Cast Away Island. (Hopefully the need for removing bad teeth with ice skate blades wouldn’t come into play… scary.)
Not only would I enjoy the much needed alone time, but also on the plus side, a few years on a secluded island would be a great way to get on board with a strict no carb diet. I’d be looking pretty svelte in no time, though on the down side, I’d only have a bloodied volleyball to share this with…. But I digress, as usual…
ISLAND LIVING FOR THE WALKING WOUNDED
I have to believe that Simon and Garfunkel’s song, “I am a Rock” was written in response to some personal emotional injury. Here are the lyrics for those of you who might not be familiar with this song. (I have to write it this way because I can’t get it to format correctly.)
A winter’s day, in a deep and dark December; I am alone, gazing from my window to the streets below, on freshly fallen silent shroud of snow. I am a rock, I am an island.
I’ve built walls, a fortress deep and mighty, that none may penetrate. I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain. It’s laughter and it’s loving I disdain. I am a rock, I am an island.
I have my books and my poetry to protect me; I am shielded in my armor, hiding in my room, safe within my womb. I touch no one and no one touches me. I am a rock, I am an island.
And a rock feels no pain; and an island never cries.
What are the kinds of things that might make someone want to join a convent, live on a secluded island, make friends with Wilson, go off the grid, put on their suit of armor, hide in their room, etc? I have some ideas…
One of our primary emotional needs is to be understood, to be known through and through, to be loved unconditionally for who we are at our core. When somebody really knows us, they’re able to put things in their proper perspective, they don’t jump to conclusions or take things personally. They don’t make mountains out of molehills. They see our intentions and our motivations. They know and love us for who we really are. They never get caught up in their own ego and so misunderstandings rarely, if ever, arise. Is there anyone in your life that fits that description?
I’m a firm believer that it’s within the context of our relationships that we grow emotionally and spiritually. Getting hurt and disappointed is part of the human experience, and yes, it can be painful and gut wrenching at times. We need to remember, or at least I do, that it’s more than okay to take time for your self, to wash ashore on your own Cast Away Island and stay as long as you need to. In fact recognizing that need to ‘check out’ and accommodating that need is actually very healthy.
Excellent post, very interesting thoughts.
I would like to live on a tropical island just to get away from it for a while.
And as long as my girl understands me, I don;t really worry about the rest of the universe’s opinion of me…
All I can say is, GOOD ANSWER!!!
This is so true! Sometimes being able to go inside and shut the door for awhile is all we really need to regain our bearings! Of course, when I’m in that kind of state of mind, it really is nice to get be able to be recluse! I tend to have recluse genes anyway! But then when ithe sun comes out and I’m feeling all happy and cheery I can ‘t believe I ever wanted to be a recluse! The mind is such a fickle thing!
Yeah, me too. I definitely need down time and to break away from relationships occasionally. I know one thing, I don’t want to WORK at friendships at this point in my life. Sometimes a little self-inventory, perspective, and time to re-group is necessary.
A good dose of sunshine, preferably on a lovely tropical island, would be just the ticket!
What’s your opinion on the Into the Wild guy? I think what he did was pretty cool. I know it was stupid in the end, but as a nervous person I would love to throw away all responsibilities. Not that my life is so stressful or anything. Could it be a power thing maybe? Like you’re the king of the island and you no longer have to answer to anyone.
I had a friend, and by friend I mean a guy with floppy blonde hair and a weird face who if he saw me on the street would think to himself “I think I know him”, who worked on an island in the Pacific for a year at some resort. He said he was basically a glorified pool boy. I thought about doing it at one point but it seemed too uncomfortable. The island was all Russians and Japanese, the two mafias I fear. I would have gone and gotten a temporary tan, a temporary Greek God physique, but I would have come back so distant from everyone and everything else. All I’d be able to talk about was how great of a time I had. Nobody wants to hear about that.
Point is, you’re right. We do need others to help us become ourselves.
I never saw Into the Wild but maybe I should see it? I think it looked too cold at the time! Haha! Something about being free is appealing but I think you switch one stress for another out in the wild. Finding food and starving is probably not fun.
I could be a pool girl. Very easily. No problem. just don’t ask me to make change – I have no math skills! Haha!
Hi,
We all need to have a bit of space for ourselves every now and then, I don’t think I would like to be totally isolated from everybody and everything, that would be way too much for me. 🙂
I just fantasize about it but in reality I’d probably like it for about…24 hours? Haha! I think there are varying degrees of social needs. Mine are pretty low. I could probably get by with the companionship of a dog for a long time.
I think I would be too lonely living on an island by myself. I mean, I like being by myself at home, but I always know that someone will be around later. I would definitely need Wilson to talk to. He would ease my soul. You should definitely go on a trip or something by yourself though. You probably need some vacation therapy!
Yeah, I definitely need a vay cay. Wilson could be good company for about 10 minutes. I’d probably just start talking to myself, oh wait, I already do that! haha!
oh man… my alone time is the most important thing in my life, really. If I don’t get enough alone/away time, I just can’t deal with all the baloney and stuff out there. Even in the simple things like getting gas, or going to the store – I hold my alone time very very dear!!!
but everyone is different, and the important thing is to know yourself and what you really want/need!!!
🙂
I think you’re exactly right. Some of us need more alone time than others. I tend to get overwhelmed with too much social activity, and sometimes it’s just more trouble and heart break than anything else. I don’t want to WORK at relationships at this point in my life. Like you, I treasure my alone time.
The island life, I think I could do that, but only if Lori came along. Our private time is of extreme importance to us.
That’s sweet. I think being with the one(s) you love brings quality and comfort to your alone time. Just having that person present is enough. The rest of the world, however, can go away.
Beautiful lyrics and great post, Lisa. It often happens that I think: please know that I’m in fact quite funny and nice. I always want people to know me as I want to know myself.
Alone time is very important for me. Just me, music, books, or just me and something to stare at. I think it improves imagination.
Thanks. I like your comment. I feel that we all have a need to be known for who we really are. Sometimes we need alone time, books, music, etc. to remind us of our spirit. Too much social activity tends to cause people to wear masks and act false. I have a real aversion to false people. Do you know what I mean?
I’ve always wanted to be one of those ones that crashed on that Island in Lost. But you know, not get killed by flying smoke or crazy people with sniper rifles. When I become a millionaire I’m definitely buying an island somewhere.
I would love living on the Lost island, no stress or paying bills – okay so maybe some other scary things, but still.
If you ever get an island, Pete, promise me that I’ll have an open invitation to come and visit any time. I think you should call your island, Calm Island or The Isle of Calm… Perfect, right?
Well said! The only one who fits that perfectly is God, but I have a few others who come close. Awesome post (as usual). Angie
That’s what I was thinking when I wrote that. The only one who’ll never disappoint us is God. Thanks, Angie! Always good to hear from you : )
I’m reading an interesting book, ‘Lamb’–the plot is it is a current gospel written by the best friend of Jesus, whose name is Biff. I thought it was going to be a little um, well, a book you’d tutt. Instead, I’m finding a book written by a character who journeys with Jesus as he discovers what it takes for him to become the Christ. I think you’d like it, Lisa. He discusses that whole island thing (as does my beloved Paul Simon)
I’ll check it out. I like the title. Anything that challenges you to think in a different way is always a good read. I still haven’t started, “Buddha in the Attic.” Too many good books, not enough time for my dyslexic brain! haha!