Loneliness is something that everyone feels from time to time. By its simple nature it is not unhealthy but it can be very powerful. And since loneliness is a universal, human experience I am dedicating a few posts to this topic. If you know anyone who needs a little encouragement then send them this way. I will also be posting links to web-sites for further investigation should anyone be interested.
Today's topic is on the loneliness we feel when we miss friends, those people who make life a little-bit more fun and bearable...
Life has a way of separating folks. Looking back across the years I can see how friends gave me encouragement by just being near. And as you get older you start to see how and when people came into your life. Friendships can feel many times like a revolving door. Some friends stay by you all your life while others only stay for a little while and then fade away... a treasured memory with a face.
But it has been my experience that when you start missing a friend, especially a friend you haven't seen in a while, its always a good idea to try and contact them. Even a simple phone call can make all the difference! And nearly everytime I have followed through on a feeling like this my friend will tell me they were also thinking of me. Many times it would be the case that we were both going through something challenging in life and needed a little pick-me-up.
Sometimes I will write hand-written letters instead of sending an e-mail or printing my thoughts out. There is something very special and unique about anything hand-made but especially when it comes to letters. Other times I will send a card just for the sake of letting a good friend know I'm thinking of them. And I have yet to have anyone tell me they disliked recieving a letter in the mailbox.
Music is another way to let friends know what your thinking. If you have time take a look at my " ipod" in the right column. The tune " Call Me Call Me" is one that has been an instant favorite. Friends say they love the words.
But, details of communication aside, maybe the biggest reason to act on your loneliness for friends is simply because they really mean something to you. LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT. Tell them, in any way you can, that you care about their lives and that you are thankful they have touched yours. Because as crazy and unpredictable as life is getting these days, you never know when you might not get another chance.
Remember that any effort to touch a friend's life is appreciated and it makes the pain of loneliness so much more bearable. You grow and mature when you start looking for ways to encourage others... and you create an important support group for those times in life when its you who needs the pick-me-up.
Until next time!
" Never abandon a friend- either yours or your father's. Then you won't need to go to a distant relative for help in your time of need." Proverbs 27: 10
14 comments:
Hmmmm... I have to admit that I'm depressed myself. I've been in deep depression for about a year now. I created my blog to help me released some of the emotional toll I had (my posts from May and June 2006 are really depressing). But I'm slowly recovering.
I don't know where I'd be without my friends. Although I don't exactly have that many friends and they aren't all that supportive... they were there sometimes. I'm the kind of person who everyone relies on, so when I go "down"... no one knows what to do. I'm the one who everyone confesses things to, everyone trusts and holds on to. It makes me happy to know that someone relies on me. To make my friends happy and support them... makes me happy.
algelic: I'm sorry to hear that you have been struggling with depression.
If you ever feel like you need someone to lean on let me know. I had depression a few years ago... it was a really dark time in my life.
I made through because of God, my family, and my friends. But not everyone has that kind of support.
I've produced the newsletter for the singles at my church for the past 18 months...your post reminded me of an article I wrote about Friendships and I'll share a quote with you I found for the article lead:
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, “What! You too?
I thought I was the only one!”
C.S. Lewis
When I read this quote, I thought "yeah, that is how it is with friends!"
a life inspired: Amen sister! :)
This is a really good post for me :) Three of my friends have just moved away, so it is hard for me now that my friends are all slowly leaving. I know I definitely need to stay in contact with them and to try to reach out to new people... and stop using convenient excuses!
words of encouragement are very imporant. i got this card of a colleague once and i still keep it very close with me and read it again sometimes. she basically told me i could do anything i wanted to do. little things like that, can mean the world to someone.
sasha: I know that feeling of seeing all your friends move away. Been there! Don't worry... you will find others to connect with.
Keep an open mind and mingle with people who have different interests and experiences than you.
And don't be so hard on yourself. Meaningful connections with others takes time. Do make the effort but don't hate yourself if things don't move along as fast as you think they should. :)
cecil de: Thanks for dropping by! Come back again any time. :)
Yup! Words of encouragement are importabt. We all need them from time-to-time.
This is a very touching post. It's too bad lonliness exists. We should always remember ourselves and our friends. It's a good thing when we have friends - they get us through the roughest times. They are like family :-)
ceecee: Yeah! Friends are great! Everyone needs them at one point or another in their lives.
This post has touched me.
Just Be Real: Blessings to you. I'm humbled anytime I share the things God teaches me and they encourage someone else.
This is the same what I have been literally feeling all along!
Sakshi Singh: Welcome, its nice to meet you. It can be really difficult to wrestle with loneliness. But
keep reaching out! Keep caring about other people. God blesses us when we love others. :)
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