Seven Reasons Why I'm Never Lonely

 You can be alone, but not feel lonely. How?

                    Photo by Author            

I originally wrote this article on Medium.com in 2019. However, I came across this article recently realizing that with the Pandemic many people have suffered through isolation and loneliness. The article below will explain how you can be alone but not feel lonely whether employed or unemployed. I hope it helps.

I have been single, married, lived alone, and lived with other people. Whatever the timeframe in my life, I can’t remember ever being lonely.

Except once…

That exception was when I lived in Key West, Florida. An island surrounded by water on all sides, nestled in the ocean. For a few days I experienced a deep emptiness crawling inside of me. As fast it came was as fast as it left.

Currently, I am single with plenty of work to do. Working part-time, helping out my kids, and volunteering keeps me very busy. I also choose not to date. Consequently, people have often asked me if I get lonely. Easy answer. No.

After giving this some thought, I have come up with at least 7 reasons in my life for not feeling lonely. You may recognize some of these in your own life.

1. Mindset. I never think about being lonely. Negative thoughts can trigger negative emotions.
2. Don’t live in the past. Sometimes the past can start you thinking about regrets in your life. Those regrets, perhaps in relationships, can trigger a feeling of loneliness. Live in the moment.
3. Communicate and talk to other people, including strangers. This takes the focus off of yourself. Find enjoyment in people.
4. Develop spirituality. This should be at the top of my list. Open prayer and communication with the Creator. A spiritual person is focused on building inner qualities.
5. Laugh a lot. Taking things too serious can be a drain on your emotions.
6. Volunteer. Statistics show that people that volunteer are happier and healthier. When you are helping others, there is no time to think about being lonely.
7. Do something that makes you happy every day. It doesn’t need to be something big. Positive direction.

I do not work in the medical field. However, I hope that a few of these points can help you if you are feeling lonely.

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Always seek professional help if your loneliness is plummeting or your negative feelings are out of control.

Give Your Next Cashier a Double Thank You

Photo by Lip on Unsplash

And, a thank you to all service-related workers.

Hopefully, you have never looked down on people working in service-related jobs. Cashiers make an honest living supporting their families. They are working double duty now as the Covid-19 virus circles our earth. How is that?

The grocery stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, etc. are flooded and bombarded with people stocking up on necessities. Lines are long, purchases are many, and the hours exhausting for cashiers. Even if a cashier is working her normal shift, it is intense. People are just buying more. Unfortunately, many cashiers are also working extra days and longer hours.

The glaring challenge is a lot more dangerous for them than the minutes of exhaustion throughout the day. Cashiers are facing a volume of people, possible carriers of Covid-19. The cashiers also handle money and at times credit cards. All of this is putting themselves in the front lines to battle this enemy.

To get what we need as consumers, these cashiers are actually putting themselves at risk.

They have families also that they go home to every night, risking exposure to them. Yes, in my book they deserve a double thank you and any expression of gratitude you can give them.

A few days ago, one cashier told me that she is exhausted. The lines do not stop from early morning till close of the store. At the end of the day, she still has to shop for her family and hope something is left in the stores to buy. Perhaps the owner of the store could put something aside for their workers?

I have always felt that any work you do to support your family, as long as it is not illegal, immoral, or hurting someone…is an honorable job.

So, if you are a cashier…THANK YOU…THANK YOU.

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Although I have expressed appreciation for cashiers, there are thousands of others working in other service-related jobs that are doing the same thing, sacrifice. As far as doctors and nurses are concerned, the pages of gratitude would fill a book. All are showing the spirit of sacrifice.

(I originally published this on Medium.com March 23, 2020)