Alone By Choice

Some of us are alone by choice. It's not as bad as you might think. Then again, being alone and being lonely are different.

I've talked about this before, but as it's the 'most wonderful time of the year' (at least according to Andy Williams), and people gather, it's a good time to think about it.

The holidays can be a rough time for some. There are people who for many reasons, have no one. I urge everyone who can, and search yourself honestly, to find a little time to visit those with either no one or who for one reason or another are separated from family or friends.

There are some who actually, with no bitterness or separation, choose to be alone. They may have friends and family or simply, when the day is over, prefer to keep their own company.

I'm not like that. I like time alone though. Totally without even a dog alone. It's not quiet though. I almost always have music or watch old movies and tv shows even when I write/read for fun or profit.

I do have some family. I have friends online and off. Work associates are coming and going and soon with increased frequency. i love to just meet new folks and when travelling it's fun to sit in a bar or go to a convention or gunshow or other gathering and mingle.

It's quiet right now except for tv and my thoughts. Occasionally I'll turn everything off and let relative silence reign. But I'm happy right now the way things are.

I can seclude myself and write then go amongst others and act (that is coming soon -s-). I even like to make the acquaintance of members of the opposite sex!

Alone by choice is obviously relative.

People will generally let you know if they want to mix and to what level.

I remember once having dinner at a downtown hotel restaurant. There are folks who travel and are caught somewhere on a holiday. It was as though people were in there own little cubicles and as a people watcher I noted the shyness of some. That day I quietly ate just thinking about where I was in life. So I didn't mingle. Most people eating usually do so alone and want to be left aslone. Then if they feel sociable, they head to the conviviality of a bar. There probably a number who were reviewing something in their lives, personal or business.

Instinct ususally tells you when to approach others.

Give others the benefit of your company when needed.

Otherwise, there is no sin in those lone times.