When was the last time you really spent quality time . . . with yourself? (Hopefully, it has been the last couple of nights as you made out your lists of shortcomings and strengths. But if it wasn't...)
 
A word you don't hear much these days is "solitude."  Maybe that is because it isn't experienced much. You know, if you put prisoners in solitary confinement, they go a little crazy, or they use the time to grow.  Most of them go a little crazy because we are just not used to being alone. Humans are social beings. Too much solitude feels like punishment, but some is essential if we are really going to grow.
 
Others surround us at work, at home and just about everywhere else, but it is solitude we need for really deep thinking. It might be one reason carpooling hasn't worked very well is because solitary driving time is precious to so many of us. It may be why many busy people, who can afford it, hire others to drive them around because their time alone in the car is rare and invaluable, especially if you have to negotiate traffic.
 
Some therapists believes that one reason people make so much headway in therapy is because it provides built-in time and structure to focus attention inward. This type of solitude time is not being selfish; used properly, it can be a time of great renewal.
 
So if you want to really move ahead, take time every so often to be alone. Build it into your schedule to make sure it happens. Use it to think about where you are and where you want to go, and to problem solve, reflect, and re-connect with your heart's desires and challenges.