From Crowd-Seeker to Solitude Embracer:

Embracing Solitude: The Path to True Self-Discovery

As we journey through life, our perspectives shift. In our youth, we often admired those surrounded by a multitude of friends, believing that more people equated to greater happiness. We scrutinized the number of guests at birthday parties, measuring the quality of our celebrations through comparisons. The assumption was that an abundance of people translated to joy. But as time passes, reality dawns on us.

We come to understand that people can be mere faces in a crowd, their words mere noise. True friendships, we realize, are rare gems. Reluctantly, we begin to trim our social circles and allocate our time more judiciously. We turn our gaze inwards, embracing moments of solitude. Gradually, we make peace with the solitude and start relishing the moments spent alone. Without our notice, solitude transforms from a dreaded state into a cherished preference.

To outsiders, our newfound affinity for solitude may seem like negativity or depression. However, we alone comprehend the serenity of that solitary time and the exquisite beauty it holds for souls seeking a deeper connection with life than the superficiality of crowds.

Am I urging you to become a recluse? No, that's not my intention. I'm simply pointing out that with time, we evolve as individuals. We don't begin as innocent, wide-eyed children in this complex, chaotic world. We've gathered life's lessons along the way, experiencing the deceit, falsehoods, and games that it often presents. Initially, bitterness might creep in, but we learn to navigate this chaos. We learn to filter out the noise, seeking inner peace, love, and happiness. What you've become is not an imposition but the more mature version of yourself. It's you, enriched with years of life's lessons, a testament to your growth as an individual. So take pride in your ability to find solace in solitude.

Loneliness provides precious moments for introspection, allowing you to ponder your life's desires and assess your relationships. Many find themselves entangled in toxic relationships, merely trudging through each day. Few take the time to pause, step back, and truly understand their situation. People often equate solitude with loneliness, which they mistakenly link to depression and failure. In doing so, they end up feeling lonely even in the midst of a crowd. How curious the human psyche can be, at times, not realizing the wisdom in embracing solitude. ~RS 😌

Good morning. It's Thursday, Nov. 30, and we're covering a rare vote in Congress, an alleged assassination plot on US soil, and much more.

Inspiring Stories

Doughnuts and dreams

A beloved doughnut shop owner in Southern California, Jim Nakano, reflected on his journey from being sent to a Japanese internment camp at age 2 to starting his bustling Route 66 business over 50 years ago. “This doughnut shop has given us so much opportunity to meet different people,” he told CBS News. “I’m just thankful that we were given the opportunity and we made the best of it and the American dream.”