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| Alone But Not Lonely |
In today's fast-paced society, we've become accustomed to filling the eeriness of silence with fluff. We turn to many distractions to escape feelings of idleness or boredom. But the main thing we wish to elude is loneliness. Solitude does not have to be alienating or lonesome. Isolation and loneliness are distinctly separate.
The death of a loved one or the inability to find people who understand you can leave you feeling isolated. Webster's dictionary plainly describes loneliness as being without companions. It's natural to experience an emptiness while longing for love or acceptance. Loneliness is, therefore, an emotional state that can be experienced whether or not one is physically alone.
It was Geoffrey F. Fisher who said, In cities, no one is quiet, but many are lonely; in the country, people are peaceful, but few are lonely.
So what is it about being alone that scares us? We tend to fill loneliness with all types of distractions. For example, some single women would rather spend a Friday night with a man they have no genuine interest in than spend the night alone. They long for a way of killing time while they await the man they are seeking. Then some young adults are involved in cliques where they can't relate to their companions. However, they would instead feel accepted on a superficial level than risk feeling outcast.
Do not be spooked by the unfamiliarity of silence. Silence can be a fantastic thing. It teaches you how to listen genuinely. It teaches you to pay attention to what's happening inside you. Only when we are alone can we have the space and peace to think without being outwardly influenced. Therefore, it becomes easier to make crucial decisions and identify whatever feelings are culminating within.
Get in touch with yourself to make conscious decisions rather than react to emotions. Appreciate the time you have to yourself. Let the peace and understanding you find better equip you for the commotion of today's world.
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