(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)

 

Have you ever been alone? — by yourself; nobody else around; solo?

Have you ever been lonely? — feeling cut off from people you care about.

When you are lonely you are thinking of the absence of someone. You are missing them. Cut off. Feeling separate-from. Maybe even, less-than.

Aloneness is the presence of oneself. It is an overflowing presence, a full sense of your Self, of who you are and what is important to you. There is no need for anyone else.

Once you can be alone, you then have space to include others fully.

 

Copyright 2004 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.