The Lord had the wonderful advantage of being able to work alone.

"The Lord had the wonderful advantage of being able to work alone." With these words, Kofi Annan speaks to a truth known across time and history—there is a power in solitude, a grace in the ability to act without reliance on others. In this statement, Annan is not merely reflecting on a divine trait but revealing a lesson for humankind: sometimes, to achieve the greatest things, to bring about the most profound change, one must be willing to stand alone. It is in solitude that true vision can emerge, unhindered by the noise, the doubts, or the constraints of the collective. When one works alone, they are freed from the need to conform, to compromise, and they are able to channel their full strength toward their calling.

Consider the ancient figure of Heracles, the Greek hero renowned for his incredible feats. Though he had companions at times, many of his greatest labors were undertaken alone. He fought the Nemean Lion with his bare hands, completed the Augean Stables task with no help but his own might and ingenuity, and traveled through dark realms, facing unimaginable trials by himself. Heracles' solitude was not born out of selfishness or isolation, but out of necessity. He could not achieve his great labors by relying on others. His strength and resolve were tested when he stood alone, when the weight of his task fell entirely on his shoulders. The Lord, as Annan alludes, had a similar advantage—a purity of purpose that only solitude can bring.

In more recent history, we see echoes of this profound truth in the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Though he was surrounded by many who supported him in his struggle for India's independence, it was often in solitude that his most profound decisions were made. It was in the quiet moments of reflection, when he was alone, that he found the clarity to speak out against injustice and to lead his people with a courage that transcended the conventional. His strength did not come from the multitude, but from the quiet moments when he was alone with his thoughts and his faith. Gandhi understood that greatness is often born in solitude, when one can hear the still, small voice of conviction above the clamor of the world.

The essence of solitude is not simply about being alone; it is about cultivating the space to listen, to reflect, and to grow. The Lord—whether as a divine figure or as an ideal to aspire to—demonstrates the importance of working alone when necessary. This does not mean rejecting the support of others or living in complete isolation. Rather, it is the recognition that at times, true creation and leadership demand the strength to stand alone, to follow a path that is not swayed by external opinions or pressures. In solitude, there is the possibility for deep introspection, for reaching into the deepest recesses of the soul, and emerging with an understanding that can move mountains.

In our modern world, we often find ourselves distracted by the voices of others, pulled in multiple directions by the expectations of society, family, and peers. Yet, the most innovative minds—from Albert Einstein to Marie Curie—often worked alone, isolated in their thoughts, their labs, or their studies. Einstein's theory of relativity was not birthed in the bustling halls of academia but in the quiet space of his own mind, where he was free to explore the uncharted territories of space and time without the constraints of conventional thought. Curie, too, ventured into the unknown in solitude, her groundbreaking work on radioactivity coming from hours of focused, solitary labor. It is clear that those who leave the deepest marks on history often find their greatest work when they are unfettered by the opinions and expectations of others.

The lesson of Kofi Annan’s words is not just about the advantage of solitude but also about the strength it can give us. The solitary worker is not weak, but empowered by the ability to act with clarity, with purpose, and with the full force of their inner resolve. The Lord’s work was often solitary, but it was also purified by that solitude. To work alone is not to be isolated in despair, but to be free to follow one’s true calling, to give everything to the task at hand, and to remain steadfast in the face of difficulty.

The practical lesson for us is clear: seek moments of solitude, not as a form of escape, but as a means to reconnect with your true purpose. In the stillness, you will find clarity, you will hear the voice of your own conviction, and you will be able to make decisions that are true to your heart. Surround yourself with others when necessary, but also learn to trust your own voice, your own vision. Just as the Lord, Heracles, and Gandhi showed us, there are times when the greatest power comes from standing alone, unshaken and resolute.