This quote suggests that solitude, or being alone, can be a positive and enriching experience when two conditions are met: one, when you are at peace with yourself, and two, when you have a clear purpose or task to accomplish.
Being at peace with oneself implies a state of self-acceptance, self-understanding, and inner tranquility. It means that you are comfortable with who you are, you accept your strengths and weaknesses, and you are not in conflict with yourself. When you are at peace with yourself, you don’t need others to validate you or to distract you from your thoughts and feelings. You are content and comfortable in your own company.
Having something definite to do means having a clear goal, purpose, or task. When you are alone with a purpose, your solitude can become productive and fulfilling. You are not just alone, but alone with a purpose. This could be a project you are working on, a book you are writing, a problem you are trying to solve, or a skill you are trying to learn.
In today’s world, the idea of productive solitude is particularly relevant. In an age of constant connectivity and social media, we are rarely truly alone. We are always connected, always communicating, always distracted. This can make it difficult to find time for solitude, to be alone with our thoughts, to reflect, and to focus on a single task. But as this quote suggests, solitude can be a powerful tool for personal growth and productivity, if we are at peace with ourselves and if we have a clear purpose.
In terms of personal development, this quote suggests that we should cultivate a healthy relationship with ourselves, learn to be at peace with who we are, and find clear purposes or tasks to focus on. This could mean taking time each day to reflect, meditate, or journal, to understand ourselves better and to find inner peace. It could also mean setting clear goals for ourselves, finding projects or tasks that we are passionate about, and dedicating time to work on these tasks alone. By doing so, we can turn our solitude into a time of self-discovery, self-improvement, and productivity.