Feeling Lonely? Here's Hope

"Are We Dating or Just Friends?" has been the most popular post on A New Day Cafe blog. Ever.

Sadly, when relationships end…when you find out you are just “the friend” and not “the one” you can feel rejected or lonely.

 

But no matter your age or life stage, whether you are dating, married, separated, divorced or widowed, you can feel lonely at times.

 

Here’s a brief lesson from the gloriously beautiful aspen groves that grow in Colorado (and elsewhere). When we are lonely we need to get connected, or reconnected again.

 

Lesson from an aspen grove

On a cool, crisp day in early fall bright golden aspen leaves quake in the autumn breeze. When they shimmer, in all their golden beauty, against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, I remember why I love living in Colorado.

 

Beyond their splendor, aspen trees are also connected. While the individual trees stand alone, they are literally one organism because their root system is intertwined. Likewise, individuals need community and connection with others in order to thrive. We need bonds and relationships of all kinds—family, friends, community, or people we know from church, sports, or hobby groups.

 

When we choose to intertwine our lives with others we find emotional fulfillment and a heart that serves. Even simple acts connect us, like bringing a meal to a friend with a broken arm, or calling your grandmother just because.

 

You are not alone. We’re all connected.

 

(For more about overcoming loneliness, read Powerful Prayers for Challenging Times by Jackie M. Johnson (Revell, October 2012). Available in book and e-book formats.