Dispatch from a Weekend
On Loneliness and Precious Things
Go with me here while I lay this out.
On most Saturdays or Sundays, you can find me reading at a cafe. I was alone at a cafe, reading a great book (Regarding the Pain of Others). I stopped after a chapter to think, took a drink, and then had feelings.
First, it was a feeling of contentment for the moment. I was glad to be reading in a favorite place, and reading an especially interesting book, and to be among people.
Then, loneliness came after it occurred to me that I knew nobody there. I had no friend in that space, nobody to share a quick smile with and trade the unexpressed voice of “you’re seeing how amazing this is, right?”
But I want to be mindful of this. Feeling loneliness in that moment did point out to me that I was alone, and loneliness also highlighted the fact that I had found something worth sharing.
This is the insight that I take from this weird, simple moment: loneliness is not always-only damning. Loneliness can highlight things that are precious, and then it is on us to acknowledge that precious thing, to see it is ours for now, and appreciate it for just that.
I thanked the feeling, had another sip, and read some more.
More soon,
Trevor
I appreciate this Dispatch from a weekend. It puts a positive light and new view on those lonely feelings. Instead of focusing on that powerful and dreadful feeling of loneliness, a switch to the awareness of what was special enough in that moment you would have loved to share with someone, and acknowledge it, appreciate it, honor it, and perhaps even converse with it.
❤️