This poem by Henri Nouwen was included in a christmas card that my parents received. I decided to relay it here:
Solitude
It is in solitudeHenri Nouwen
That we discover
That being is more important
Than having,
And that we are worth more
Than the result of our efforts.
In solitude we discover
That our life is not
A possession to be defended
But a gift to be shared.
In solitude we have the freedom
To stroll in our own inner yard
And rake up the leaves
And clear the paths
So we can easily find
The way to our heart.