Connection is the antidote to loneliness
The downside to having family stay with us is that I always feel a little lonely when they leave. It’s not particularly logical, considering I have my wonderful husband and my delightful dog here with me. Yet, it’s true and I can’t deny the feeling. I’ve come to expect it and to trust that I will work my way through the uncomfortable emotion within a couple of days.
This time, while I was in the midst of my loneliness, a fitting quote popped up on my meditation app. My spirits were immediately lifted.
If you are feeling lonely…whatever the cause…I hope you find comfort in Rumi’s wise words. We are all connected…with each other and with all things in the universe. I’m sending my love to each of you. I hope you feel it deep within you.
Your turn
- Does the universe (or your spying electronic device) ever put just the right words in your path?
- Do you ever feel guilty about feeling bad when you have it so good? Am I the only one who feels grateful and sad at the same time?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
Feature image by Alem Coksa from Pixabay
Lighthouse image by Kanenori from Pixabay
Yes, I see online the right words/thoughts just when I need them. I often say: when the student is ready the teacher will come. Of course one has to be attentive to what you see so as the student there is some effort on my part.
It does seem to work that way, Ally. If you are attentive, the lessons and the teachers you need at any given time are there. I’m feeling my happy, grateful self again.
It’s lovely that you miss them so. A type of grief, the price of love. #WWWhimsy
Well put, Lydia. The loneliness is a form of grief, one that is well worth the love that I feel for my family and the time we spend together.
It’s a very real feeling Christie and i get it each time my family leave after a visit too. It’s a different form of feeling lonely but those lovely words by Rumi say it so well. I love it when quotes or a rainbow suddenly appear at the right time as happened for me this week. Thanks for joining us for #wwhimsy 🙂
I agree, Debbie, it is a different kind of lonely and definitely worth the joy of spending time with our loved ones. I’m glad the universe provided exactly what you needed this week. Thanks for hosting #WWWhimsy
Hi Christie, my good friend who is single and never had children, lost her Mum and Sister last year within a few months of each other. She mentioned during our Saturday run that she never feel lonely but has never felt more alone at the moment. I understood what she meant. She is going through a very difficult time with no partner or children for support and understand her loss. Thank you for linking up as always to #wwwhimsy and sharing your thoughts to make us ponder. xx
That is so difficult, Sue. I lost a brother, my best friend, and my mother within a relatively short span. The grief was deep, but I had the rest of my family to share it with. I really appreciate that connection even more hearing about your friend’s experience. I’m glad she has you. Thanks for hosting #WWWhimsy.
Hi Christie – I’ve been following a guy who teaches on youtube and with a podcast and he is very strong on the idea that humans are social creatures who need a community of some sort to be their best. He doesn’t believe that an online community is sufficient, but that we need real people in our lives to interact with – and even those of us who are less social (himself included) benefit from being with other humans.
And yes, I get quotes that speak to me popping up all over the place when I’m going through something – so many recently after my upsetting encounter with my MIL! I find them really reassuring that I’m not alone in whatever I’m dealing with.
I agree with the podcaster, Leanne. As much as I love my online community…and I really do…I need face-to-face interactions to feel my best. And when it comes to loved ones, nothing beats a big hug or an arm around your shoulders. On the flip side, as an introvert, I also greatly appreciate some alone time mixed in with my social interactions.
Don’t you just love when someone says exactly what you are feeling in a rather poetic way? I too find quotes like that reassuring.
The universe’s version of spyware lol. The signs are there – we just have to notice them.
I love that way of putting it Joanne. Thanks for making me smile.
Yes I do get those quotes quite often that describe my thoughts exactly. I see my family rarely and usually find that I brace myself for the goodbye before we’ve even done the hello.
I am truly grateful that I’m not so far from family that we don’t get to see each other rather frequently. And thank goodness for technology that lets us keep in touch between visits. Still, as you said, we have to brace for the goodbyes.
I love having friends and family come to stay but always feel like an empty nester when they leave even though just like you, I have a lovely husband and my dog to keep me company. I love this Rumi quote and will remember it next time I feel like an empty nester!
Thanks for sharing that, Sammie. It’s comforting to know that this seems to be a normal reaction…and not me being overly sentimental.
So very often the words appear when I need them – in a quote/meme, an article, a blog post. Today I saw this, “everyone needs to be validated, to be heard, to be appreciated” and I realized, this is my blogging world! Your feelings are valid, heard, and I appreciate you!!
And yes, I feel guilty when I feel sad, I feel guilty for having abundance, I feel guilty for not having major life trauma to deal with. But then, I was raised on guilt, so feeling guilty comes naturally to me!
Yes to the validation and appreciation in our blogging worlds, Pat! I so appreciate the support and kinship I have found here.
Countering guilt is a daily challenge for many, but well worth the effort. Keep working on that.
I’d allowed my meditation practice to slip – in a big way – for quite some time, but now that I’ve returned to it in a more mindful manner, I’ve noticed how often the subject matter is on point. Interestingly, on one occasion I was negatively distracted by the subject matter and as it was a before sleep meditation, decided to revert to an old recording. But I revisited the subject the following morning as I realised my reaction was telling me something important, and I wanted to establish what that was.
I guess what I’m saying is that even when the reaction is negative, the universe does have a way of sending us what we need to hear – for which I am grateful.
I agree, Debs. Sometimes the negative reactions teach us even more than the positive ones. I’m glad that you are back on your meditation practice and that you are attentive to, and curious about, your own reactions. I’ve been sitting at about 10 minutes of meditation a day for quite some time and recently decided to work my way up to 20 minutes. It seems that most studies about the benefits of meditation recommend 20 minutes a day, so that’s my goal.