When I was a young boy (and that feels like eons ago!), I often sensed a feeling of loneliness.

But was I truly a lonely child?

Maybe it was merely a state of boredom?

Throughout my teenage years, I had a close friend with whom I would spend time daily after school. He would often invite me to join his family at their cabin.

There were certainly moments during my upbringing when I found myself alone, leading to a sense of boredom. But does that automatically mean I was lonely?

Being alone doesn't inherently mean being lonely. Yes, it may be simpler to feel bored when by oneself, yet I now recognize that solitude as an adult is crucial for my personal pursuits: contemplation, learning, and writing.

As a child, having a companion was beneficial for me. Like many kids, I interacted with peers at school, and having a friend for leisure time met my social needs. We might have felt bored wandering the streets of our hometown, but that boredom was shared.

A pivotal question arises: Is being alone and experiencing boredom a misfortune or a blessing?

As an adult, I don’t require extensive time with others to share experiences and thoughts. While social interaction is valuable, I also recognize the necessity of personal time, which I believe is advantageous for everyone.

Perhaps children and teens are more prone to boredom when alone, leading to feelings of loneliness.

I don’t wish to oversimplify this issue or diminish the reality that many people genuinely feel isolated. My point is that loneliness and solitude are fundamentally different experiences. I can be alone and still feel content. Conversely, feeling unseen and uncared for is deeply unfortunate. I understand that numerous individuals live in profound solitude in our society, some even passing away alone.

In our current era, we are constantly surrounded by distractions—both visual and auditory. We all share this existence on Earth for a limited time, and during our journey, we face various choices.

At times, it may appear that I have an abundance of time. Yet, I am acutely aware that my time is finite and its totality remains unknown.

During my years of full-time employment (teaching and later in adult education), I rarely contemplated this. I was focused on fulfilling my responsibilities at work and home.

Now, after stepping away from that environment for several years, I have embraced a new chapter filled with solitude. This has granted me ample time to relax, think, read, study, plan, and reflect.

I have some insights that I believe could be beneficial for those navigating the later stages of life. They may seem quite basic, but perhaps they contrast with how many of us have approached life:

• Savor your time and experiences in the present moment.
• Fully commit to your tasks, seize opportunities, but know when to draw the line.
• Prioritize your health and eliminate harmful habits such as smoking, substance abuse, and excessive drinking.
• Engage in regular physical activity to nurture both body and mind.
• Show care for those around you, your community, and the world at large!
• Dedicate time to self-reflection on your life and future direction.

_Wishing you a wonderful day! :)_

Thank you for taking the time to read!

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