I read this postcard on the PostSecrets blog.
To me, this is one of the saddest things that we do to one another, whether we know it or not.
So many of us wrap ourselves in our own problems, whether they are our own, our families, our friends or anything that does not permit us to reach out to others who are alone and lonely.
So many of us do not even take the time to think about what a lonely existence someone around us may be leading, hiding or having too much pride to express their how alone they are.
I heard a while ago I heard a television commercial while doing something else when the television was on, touting that the most important thing in life is family. I pondered that concept and thought, how selfish.
I did not think about that again until this postcard I read today.
How selfish to think that if we only concern ourselves with our families, that we are absolved of those who do not have any, who have no one to talk to, no one to lean on and take a respite from life.
Imagine a lonely person on the outside looking into your perfect little most important family that sees nothing but itself. So sad. That is what I thought reading the postcard.
For as long as I can remember, I have always in someway felt the pain of others who have some unfortunate circumstance in life. And the next time I am asked for directions or someone talks to me while waiting on a line, or says hello to me on the street, I will remember to smile broadly and openly and if they want, take some time out of my own troubles and thoughts to show that person, who may be communicating with me to break their loneliness, some genuine warmth.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Lonely Postcard
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14 comments:
Yes, that postcard touched me, too.
You know, I think loneliness is a consequence of modern life - the cult of the individual above all else. Silly. We are all one.
Puss
that site always make me so sad and introspective.
people call me too sensitive but i think that just their way of saying they don't care.
i truly believe if more people were sensitive to what was happening in other peoples lives, we'd have a better world
i agree with puss
its strange how something so simple like companionship can be missing from so many lives when there are so many people
Loneliness is a growing problem. The more people only connect through the virtual, the more forces try to make us live as insect drones, the abandonment of the older generation to lives of quiet isolation ... There are times when I stutter, find myself in a room of people and feel totally alone, outside of it all, I have had periods of self-induced loneliness - the months of book writing with no contact with anyone - yet this is nothing to the deep loneliness I know so many in my city experience every moment.
Puss-yes, one over all seems to be the modern mantra. The societal change to looking out for one's self to survive, replaced the more communal survival of the past.
Shadow-it is a lonely, insensitive world. And the complexities of human interaction are made complex by humans living in a modern world.
David-the flip to the internet, blogs for example, I imagine as a respite to loneliness for many, for though the interaction is not human contact in its truest form, it delivers. Now, to transform the camaraderie the internet brings in its largess of anonymity, to everyday lives, is another thing.
Yes, you are right. I find the strange friend collecting of Myspace and Facebook interesting elements of this, especially as most people would be horrified if their virtual 'friends' were to descend upon them.
David- what a sight that would be-a veritable Jerry Springer event, especially with the reality transformed anonimity the internet permits for us all.
Loneliness is the great scourge of the modern world. We are surrounded by people everywhere we go, and yet alone in the crowds, and mostly, alone in our homes.
I can relate to what David said. Writing a book must be the loneliest undertaking in the world. Not only do I have to shut out friends, and defer my family, but I also have to shut out part of myself. If I read too much while I am writing, it dilutes my voice, so I have to cut out reading, too. It really is a dead run to the finish line, hoping you finish a halfway decent book before your fear, loneliness and insecurities consume you.
Muse, your blog is always so interesting! You leave me with so many things to think about.
Fat Cat
Thank you Fat Cat, what a nice compliment, despite the Quiet Man saga that dominates this blog.
Yes, loneliness is very pervasive in our society- and I am convinced it is so prevalent due to our selfishness.
I also did not realize the fact confirmed by yourself and David regarding the loneliness of book writing. It must be very taxing.
Working on a book 14 hours, six days a week for 12 weeks is recipe loneliness. Excluding other voices – even down to not listening to my beloved Radio 4 or music with lyrics brings isolation of another sort into the mix.
I can't comprehend the length of self imposed isolation for bookwriting-so there is not any moment in those three months you have any human interaction?
Surely you must!
I would think the complete opposite would be true-more human interaction results in flowing work. But, eh, I am not a writer.............
I will let you know. I was not able to write any books when with AM for nine years (that might have been down to the pressure, breaking of finger etc.) and I have not written anything of length since being happy with Surreal Girl because I have not wanted to devote that much time to a project and away from my best friend. However, I am about to start writing a big book again, so we shall see and I will let you know.
David, well you know what opinion I have compiled from your words about AM-and what I think from your description of Surreal Girl.
I must ask you: is Surreal Girl your girlfriend? You call her your best friend and in one post mentioned she had a male roomate.
I hope she is your GF and if not, you better straighten that out, because it sounds as if you are truly in love with this wonderful woman.
And I would bet, she would not mind one bit to keep you company while you write your book and attend to you and provide some relevant discourse and respite while you work.
I believe you may find yourself not only more productive but more creative and expressive.
:)
Another noted blog..a beautiful melancholy loneliness
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Sudhadip-yes, the post secrets blog is very depressing, but enlightening at the same time.
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