Our lives today are the antithesis of seclusion. We are surrounded by chattering voices: the talking heads on TV, podcasts, Social Media, Netflix and the constant buzzing and pinging of smart phones. Life is anything but seclusive. It’s nearly impossible to hear yourself think-or to think for yourself. After all, those chattering voices are simply a cacophony of other people’s thoughts, not yours. That's why we need to take time for personal solitude. Time to think, time to meditate, time to pray. It's the key message in Henry David Thoreau's Walden and it's as relevant today as it was 169 years ago.