An Important Life Lesson-Loneliest and Solitude are not Synonyms

Dear Reader:

It took me a good part of my life to realize that being alone and loneliness are two separate entities. Upon reflection I have always felt more lonely surrounded by people than ever being alone with myself.

In childhood it was any new situation I was thrust in among people I didn’t know, at least well, that made me feel the depths of loneliness-the first day of school, summer camp and homesick loneliness, big parties or large gatherings brought on feelings of insecurity and loneliness-feelings never felt by just being physically alone.

I am always surprised when people ask ” Aren’t you lonely?” upon discovering I live alone. I can honestly answer ” No.” In fact I am pretty content with my own company-after raising three children as a single parent-alone time is quite a remarkable gift-no more bickering, arguing, screaming… it was a wild ride… always yelling to hurry hurry hurry to the kids each morning not to miss the bus or their ride, packing lunches and then getting to school myself for bus duty! Believe me I covet my time now alone!

These days I seek solitude,,, if I go too long without a chat with my soul I feel off-kilter-like the nomadic tribe in Africa that would stop at intervals along their travails to wait for their souls to catch up with them.

Today with iPhones becoming seemingly like another human appendage connected to the human body… people are lonelier than ever. They are also beginning to realize that “likes” texts, emoji’s etc are nice or cute but don’t replace human bonding and established daily physical friendships! Virtual communication is not real life communication and this situation does leave virtual dependents lonely.

So until tomorrow-The secret… seek to understand that we are each connected in this universe to all other living things…with that knowledge loneliness is replaced with connection and solitude allows us to connect with our Creator!

“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

* Sorry about the missing photos yesterday-battery problems-had to recharge over night!

Happy Birthday Eva Cate! Remember Boo Boo will always be there for you-no matter where you end up!

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”

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