I’m rarely alone. With a husband and two children, a job where I work with people, and friends who I wish I connected with more frequently it’s unusual for me to be doing something by myself. Generally speaking, I’m happy about this. I love people. They’re my species! However tonight, I found myself on the lake watching the sunset while completely alone.
I’ll be honest. At first I felt kind of sorry for myself. You see, I often watch my neighbors going out for long paddles with a close friend or spouse and I envy that intimacy and wish that I had the space (and companionship here) to do the same.
But once I settled in on my paddle board and quieted my thoughts I realized that I was experiencing a perfect moment. The sunset was spectacular and the water was calm. The dragonflies skimmed the surface of the water occasionally landing on my board and joining me for the ride. Interspersed with the sound of the birds was the singing and laughing of children at the various residences around me. And the sky was wide open with the water reflecting the blue and orange hues above.
I realized that I did not feel in the least bit lonely despite being alone. As I floated around on this lake that I have been coming to since I was an infant, I felt profoundly connected to this space that feels like home. I felt connected to past incantations of myself and the various stages of my life. I felt connected to the invisible strangers surrounding me on the lake who were enjoying this spectacular evening. And I felt connected to something bigger than myself and my life.
If I had shared the moment with a loved one, I likely would have been stuck in my head, processing out loud the thoughts that were filling our minds. I would have felt connected but also distracted from the gifts around me. Being alone allowed me to be fully present in the moment, soaking up the gifts around me.
Temporarily disconnecting from other people sometimes allows us to reconnect to ourselves and the world around us. Sometimes we need to be alone with the awesome beauty in this world to remember who we are and why we are here.
I’ll be honest. At first I felt kind of sorry for myself. You see, I often watch my neighbors going out for long paddles with a close friend or spouse and I envy that intimacy and wish that I had the space (and companionship here) to do the same.
But once I settled in on my paddle board and quieted my thoughts I realized that I was experiencing a perfect moment. The sunset was spectacular and the water was calm. The dragonflies skimmed the surface of the water occasionally landing on my board and joining me for the ride. Interspersed with the sound of the birds was the singing and laughing of children at the various residences around me. And the sky was wide open with the water reflecting the blue and orange hues above.
I realized that I did not feel in the least bit lonely despite being alone. As I floated around on this lake that I have been coming to since I was an infant, I felt profoundly connected to this space that feels like home. I felt connected to past incantations of myself and the various stages of my life. I felt connected to the invisible strangers surrounding me on the lake who were enjoying this spectacular evening. And I felt connected to something bigger than myself and my life.
If I had shared the moment with a loved one, I likely would have been stuck in my head, processing out loud the thoughts that were filling our minds. I would have felt connected but also distracted from the gifts around me. Being alone allowed me to be fully present in the moment, soaking up the gifts around me.
Temporarily disconnecting from other people sometimes allows us to reconnect to ourselves and the world around us. Sometimes we need to be alone with the awesome beauty in this world to remember who we are and why we are here.
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