“No gender has a lock on loneliness, but men in particular seem to be struggling with the basics of making friends today. Surveys indicate that men have seen a much sharper decline than women in their close friendships over the past 30 years; a higher percentage of men than women report having no close friends at all (15 percent versus 10 percent); men receive less emotional support from friends than do women; and they are less likely than women to admit being lonely, making it tough to gauge, much less address, their suffering.” Go to the source…
Albert Einstein once said that the most important question a human being could answer is, ‘Is the universe a friendly place?’ A spiritually optimistic point of view holds that the universe is woven out of a fabric of love. Everything that is happening is ultimately for the good if we are willing to face it head-on and use our adversities for soul growth. As soon as we begin to …..open to faith in a friendly universe, the proverbial path opens before us. The people, events and teachings we need are supplied. This is the action of grace.
Joan Borysenko, Fire in the Soul: A New Spirituality of Spiritual Optimism
Karl Duffy writes ‘Albert Einstein once said that the most important question a human being could answer is, ‘Is the universe a friendly place?’ Source: For the good
Loneliness and being alone may appear similar but have distinct differences. Being alone refers to physical solitude, where a person is by themselves without the presence of others. It is a state of being without companionship.
On the other hand, loneliness is an emotional state that arises from a sense of isolation or dissatisfaction with one’s social connections. It is possible to feel lonely even when surrounded by others, as it is more about the quality and depth of social interactions rather than the mere absence of people.
Being alone can be a choice and may provide an individual with solitude and self-reflection. It doesn’t necessarily lead to negative feelings. In fact, it can be a source of creativity, relaxation, and personal growth.
However, loneliness is generally considered undesirable and can have negative effects on mental and physical well-being. It can lead to feelings of emptiness, sadness, and a longing for meaningful connections. Loneliness can be temporary or chronic, and it’s important to address and alleviate it by nurturing social relationships, seeking support, and engaging in activities that foster a sense of belonging.
Are you alone or lonely? Your perspective may have a lot to do with how socially isolated you are or how much agency or choice you feel you have in the matter. Author and podcaster Andrew Marshall takes on this topic here with guest Dr. Sam Carr:
Andrew Marshall writes “If you love someone and they love you, shouldn’t you be able to tell them if something they do upsets you? It is a beautiful thought and something I’m sure most people would agree on.
But how can you do it in a loving way—a way that won’t be heard as criticism? Having spent 35 years listening to couples arguing, I have also had plenty of opportunities to think about how to turn this ambition into a reality.” Source: Why Does My Partner Only Hear Criticism?
First, I’m not a mental health professional but I’m surprised to find an article that addresses this issue without mentioning confirmation bias or non-violent communication. Let’s look into those ideas in hopes it will add to the original article.
“A couple is out of sync when one partner wants a more intimate relationship while the other wants more time for self. When men and women are young, she is typically the partner who wants more intimacy; kissing, caressing, embracing, and cuddling may be more satisfying to her than intercourse. At midlife, she may develop a need for self-fulfillment that makes intimacy less important to her, while she also has increased sexual self-confidence and finds greater satisfaction in intercourse. Orgasm, more easily achieved, may take on a new significance in her erotic life. But now, inspired by his changing physiology, he wants more tenderness in their lovemaking, and more shared confidences in their afterplay. Intimacy has become more meaningful and important to him. Early in the relationship, she may have complained he doesn’t have enough “we” and too much “I.” Now she is reveling in her “I” time, while he is craving more “we.”” Source: Getting in Intimacy-Sync With a Partner | Psychology Today
“What you say to yourself under your breath matters. It can shape how you feel and determine the quality of your life. It also shapes how you see the world, and it is your perception of the world that becomes your reality. For better or sometimes for worse, that little voice in your head helps you through the day or makes each day more difficult to bear.” Source: Self-Talk: How You Do It Matters a Lot | Psychology Today
How you speak to yourself matters to your mental health. You will never speak to someone more than you speak to yourself in your head, so, rather than constantly self-criticising ourselves, Katy Moles suggests that we speak to ourselves how we would advise our best friend. Source: Speaking to yourself like you would to a best friend | MHT
I work from home and do not have the option of going to an office. I wish that I did! I would like an alternative to working in social isolation.
“The conversation often foregrounds large-scale issues such as productivity and company culture, but the question of where an employee works is intensely personal.” Source: Why the Remote-Work Debate Stays So Heated
A new analysis finds loneliness and social isolation could lead to early death.
“The analysis found people who experienced social isolation had a 32% higher risk of dying early compared to those who were not socially isolated. Participants who experienced loneliness were 14% more likely to die early compared to those who did not. Researchers explain that’s most likely because social isolation means a lack of contact with people, whereas participants who are lonely have contact with others, but feel less strong connections.” Source: Loneliness Harms Your Health
On a personal note, I thought I was struggling with loneliness but reading this I think the issue could actually be social isolation. Over the past year, I have worked from home, lived with a cat and rarely see other people in my day to day comings and goings. I’m blessed with a beautiful love relationship, but even that is long distance. I’m getting ready to make some big changes to address all these things but I’m still for the most part living in isolation for at least the next month. The key for me is to continue to build good habits during isolation…
Dude. Seriously. There’s music and there’s Mozart…
THIS is the real sh*t
“A new book brings Mozart down from the ether and reminds us about the context in which his music was made.” Source: The Secret to Mozart’s Lasting Appeal
In every way the deck was stacked against Epictetus. 2,000 years ago in Hierapolis, he was born into slavery. He wasn’t even given a name–Epictetus just means “acquired one.” He was tortured. The fruits of his labor were stolen. His body was abused. Like a horse that was ridden into the ground and then put down. Later he was unfairly exiled. He went through unimaginable adversity and difficulty and yet he triumphed.
Bright, shiny objects! 
You must be logged in to post a comment.