Solitude

With the coming of March, I find it hard to sit in room full of people mechanically taking notes and sucking up irrelevant information produced by droning professors. The first reason being that I would rather be taking advantage of the warm weather, instead of the artificial luminescence and tiled cubes that I must sit inside during the days. The second reason being that I am drowning in this sea of humanity. I relish the solitary escapes I can procure, especially the ones spent in nature. I've made a habit these past 2 weeks to walk up to the canyon where I find myself venturing off of the trail down to the water. The sound of rushing water is so comforting after hearing cars, people, and machines buzzing homogeneously. On occasion I'll read some Les Mis, or make a drawing in my sketch book or even in the sand.
I find myself more often when I am not in the company of anyone. Although I am truly never alone. God is always there, and I feel a strong connection to him when I allow my solitude to be utilized for such a purpose. I see his hand in all things, especially nature.
Why is it that so many of us must always surround ourselves with friends? Of course, there are numerous valid answers to this question, but sometimes I think we do it for the wrong reasons. To feel loved is great, to feel unity is wonderful, to be a friend to someone is fantastic, but we don't need to be in the company of others just to feel of worth, or even that our time is well spent. Do you ever just go to someone's place just so you aren't "bored," only to do the same or even less than what you were doing alone? I am guilty of this, tenfold. It is human nature for us to congregate. It's vital to remember that we do not only have or fellow men, but God as well. We must recognize that he is the one that matters the most. He sees our hearts, our thoughts, what we do and who we are when we are by ourselves.
I supposed I have redefined solitude when I say that when we are alone, God is with us.