On being alone

Sing and dance together and be joyous, 
but let each of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone 
though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

- Khalil Gibran

ps. Not aiming to undermine the gratitude and excitement after the completion of the 40-day challenge, I must admit that the routine has actually tired me out both physically and mentally; yet, it has also granted me an unprecedented opportunity to understand myself and the world better, together with a rare chance to face my greatest weakness once and for all. Deep inside I know this fruitful journey will someday turn into a more valuable blessing to myself and others on top of what it has already accomplished. Though having to write up an article every day became more of a painful chore than an exhilarating idea at a certain point of time, the task has managed to rekindle my passion for writing and revitalise my love for life.  Anyway, I have decided to take a brief rest from the practice at the moment in hopes of allowing more room for reading, exercising and interacting with God and others. From now on, therefore, I will keep posting random pieces (either by myself or by others) until it's time to start another journey, which I am always looking forward to embarking on, yet again.