Very nice. I like being alone. I came across a great quote about being lonely in a crowd, in a book about economics, of all things: If I'm going to be alone, I might as well stay by myself.
It actually came from a Marxist book called Monopoly Capitalism, published around 50 years ago I think. I think the author's, Barn and Sweezy, really nailed it with that observation.
Jun 12, 2022·edited Jun 12, 2022Liked by Renee Faber
Well written.
I imagine most people are like myself, waxing and waning with loneliness. This pandemic has exacerbated loneliness. Even stuck in a home with loved ones, one can feel entirely alone. It's certainly an apropos topic for the current state of the world.
Nature does help. It's so unusual how extended isolation can highlight the counter-points feeling alone & connected in tandem.
I've found that considering others is helpful in fighting feelings of loneliness, too.
But your discussion on finding the self in loneliness is quite beautiful indeed. Finding oneself in loneliness can be a scary endeavor. Facing no other distractions, just acknowledging oneself. Seeing "flaws", recognizing origins of "fears", contemplating the little things that make oneself unlike any other. It's ironic how these things that make us so unlike one another end up making us similar to one another.
Thank you for this writing. It is helpful and hopeful to feel less alone ♡
Thank you, Phia for your beautiful and thoughtful addition to this article. I hope others read this, as your words bring so much depth. I love how you said isolation can bring to light counter-points of feeling alone and connected in tandem. So true. Your response lets us all feel less alone. Your compass burns brightly, indeed.
I love your words, Phia. I find myself right now, taking time out so I can contemplate my fears. Nature is my friend on this journey. I also enjoy the idea of how we are all similar. Beautiful.
Simply beautiful. SO MUCH resonates. But perhaps this, "In removing the demands of society for a spell by placing ourselves in the natural world, we become naked, our masks no longer fitting our faces. AND IT IS A RELIEF. I experience nature to be the best place to practice the brave choice of practicing meditation through watching pain" is what I feel deeply into right now. Thank you for your thought-provoking, nourishing, and comforting words.
Thank you so much, Alice. Your presence here is very much felt. I think when in nature we are able to listen to ourselves without the noise of being aware of how others are perceiving or interacting with us. Not that that is necessarily negative, but it can be if we lose connection to our core. I am looking forward to your summer course!
"when in nature we are able to listen to ourselves without the noise of being aware of how others are perceiving or interacting with us." Precisely! Although my summer course is only a small offering, it will focus on exactly this. Getting into nature and listening...seeing what we can learn about ourselves in the process.💛
I think small offerings are many times more effective as it helps us truly commit with focus. Now I know how to present your course in my next Sunday publication!
You've captured all the paradoxes of loneliness in a time where we talk so much about connection. As an ex-New Yorker, the loneliness in a city of millions especially strikes me as true. Great article!
Thank you, Meta! Loneliness in a city is a bizarre feeling...I think the contradiction of it confuses our hearts. I appreciate you taking time and reading!
"we forget to look up to the sky and drink in the stars."
Beautifully and poetically inked. The concrete facades that many find themselves in breeds an unfortunate victimhood that many cling to in fear of acceptance, and seeking inner truth.
Your words reminded me of a quote from the late Carl Rogers, a pioneering humanistic psychologist:
"a person is a fluid process, not a fixed and static entity; a flowing river of change, not a block of solid material; a continually changing constellation of potentialities, not a fixed quantity of traits.”
Concrete facades is a perfect description, and the idea we cling to them because we are afraid is so true.
That quote is perfection. Thank you so much for introducing me to it. I especially appreciate, "a continually changing constellation of potentialities."
Very nice. I like being alone. I came across a great quote about being lonely in a crowd, in a book about economics, of all things: If I'm going to be alone, I might as well stay by myself.
Thank you, Terry. That quote is fantastic and is going in my journal!
It actually came from a Marxist book called Monopoly Capitalism, published around 50 years ago I think. I think the author's, Barn and Sweezy, really nailed it with that observation.
Baran* (autocorrect 😡)
Well written.
I imagine most people are like myself, waxing and waning with loneliness. This pandemic has exacerbated loneliness. Even stuck in a home with loved ones, one can feel entirely alone. It's certainly an apropos topic for the current state of the world.
Nature does help. It's so unusual how extended isolation can highlight the counter-points feeling alone & connected in tandem.
I've found that considering others is helpful in fighting feelings of loneliness, too.
But your discussion on finding the self in loneliness is quite beautiful indeed. Finding oneself in loneliness can be a scary endeavor. Facing no other distractions, just acknowledging oneself. Seeing "flaws", recognizing origins of "fears", contemplating the little things that make oneself unlike any other. It's ironic how these things that make us so unlike one another end up making us similar to one another.
Thank you for this writing. It is helpful and hopeful to feel less alone ♡
Thank you, Phia for your beautiful and thoughtful addition to this article. I hope others read this, as your words bring so much depth. I love how you said isolation can bring to light counter-points of feeling alone and connected in tandem. So true. Your response lets us all feel less alone. Your compass burns brightly, indeed.
I love your words, Phia. I find myself right now, taking time out so I can contemplate my fears. Nature is my friend on this journey. I also enjoy the idea of how we are all similar. Beautiful.
I really enjoyed this one - I tend to feel most lonely amongst larger groups of people. This was a very perceptive essay!
Thank you, Adrian. Both of us being writers and creatives in general, it makes sense we naturally feel a bit more lonely amongst large groups.
Simply beautiful. SO MUCH resonates. But perhaps this, "In removing the demands of society for a spell by placing ourselves in the natural world, we become naked, our masks no longer fitting our faces. AND IT IS A RELIEF. I experience nature to be the best place to practice the brave choice of practicing meditation through watching pain" is what I feel deeply into right now. Thank you for your thought-provoking, nourishing, and comforting words.
Thank you so much, Alice. Your presence here is very much felt. I think when in nature we are able to listen to ourselves without the noise of being aware of how others are perceiving or interacting with us. Not that that is necessarily negative, but it can be if we lose connection to our core. I am looking forward to your summer course!
"when in nature we are able to listen to ourselves without the noise of being aware of how others are perceiving or interacting with us." Precisely! Although my summer course is only a small offering, it will focus on exactly this. Getting into nature and listening...seeing what we can learn about ourselves in the process.💛
I think small offerings are many times more effective as it helps us truly commit with focus. Now I know how to present your course in my next Sunday publication!
Thank you for your continued encouragement. I appreciate your kind words!
Too good. thank you.
Thank you, Christian!
💖💫🙏
Thank you for reading, Nicola!
You've captured all the paradoxes of loneliness in a time where we talk so much about connection. As an ex-New Yorker, the loneliness in a city of millions especially strikes me as true. Great article!
Thank you, Meta! Loneliness in a city is a bizarre feeling...I think the contradiction of it confuses our hearts. I appreciate you taking time and reading!
I needed this today my friend, Renee. Thank you.
"we forget to look up to the sky and drink in the stars."
Beautifully and poetically inked. The concrete facades that many find themselves in breeds an unfortunate victimhood that many cling to in fear of acceptance, and seeking inner truth.
Your words reminded me of a quote from the late Carl Rogers, a pioneering humanistic psychologist:
"a person is a fluid process, not a fixed and static entity; a flowing river of change, not a block of solid material; a continually changing constellation of potentialities, not a fixed quantity of traits.”
Concrete facades is a perfect description, and the idea we cling to them because we are afraid is so true.
That quote is perfection. Thank you so much for introducing me to it. I especially appreciate, "a continually changing constellation of potentialities."