After a few busy weeks socializing, I offer some thoughts on solitude. I loved being with family and friends, as well as the scattered times of solitude. As you know, I treasure large doses alone time, as obvious from the joy and peace I feel in traveling by myself. My husband is the same, although he is most happy tending his garden at home. My extraverted friends need others to energize them. Each of us requires different amounts solitude and socializing; we are healthy we get the amount we need.
My thoughts today, however, are with those who can’t stand to be alone at all. I’m not talking about solitude but about loneliness, about lack of life purpose, all under the umbrella on which is written, “Life has no meaning for me.” It is hard to know how to help these people. It does not good to tell them to ‘get a life’ or ‘just get over it.’ Doing something with them can help, but not if it is only filling up the time for them. Leading them to help—psychological, physical and spiritual is a worthy step.
There’s no one right way to support these people who are afraid to be alone, but for me a few ideas come to mind under the do-no-harm rubric. Listen, listen, listen; be positive in your own life, both in thought, word and deed; send positive energy, which for me is prayer.
My thoughts today, however, are with those who can’t stand to be alone at all. I’m not talking about solitude but about loneliness, about lack of life purpose, all under the umbrella on which is written, “Life has no meaning for me.” It is hard to know how to help these people. It does not good to tell them to ‘get a life’ or ‘just get over it.’ Doing something with them can help, but not if it is only filling up the time for them. Leading them to help—psychological, physical and spiritual is a worthy step.
There’s no one right way to support these people who are afraid to be alone, but for me a few ideas come to mind under the do-no-harm rubric. Listen, listen, listen; be positive in your own life, both in thought, word and deed; send positive energy, which for me is prayer.