Alone or Lonely?

I am never lonely. I can look lonely but only because I am introspective (thinking). I am usually surrounded by lots of people but I can choose to have my alone time whenever, and that's when I dig deep inside and think through things. So alone and loneliness need not go together. In my opinion, loneliness is felt when a person FEELS alone in a negative situation. That hapened to me weeks ago at a party with family and friends at my place; I was going through a lot. Everyone was having a great time but I felt all alone surrounded by them because they have no idea what's happening to me.On the other hand, a person can be physically alone and deliriously happy with himself, so I guess that last statement agrees with Buddha.

I'm always finding myself feeling lonely. Right now for instance. I have family and friends in my life, I just seem to clam up whenever I get this way. I'm rarely ever alone. There is always someone in my house but I don't have the constant companion of that "special someone" and it's sad but I think that's what makes me feel so lonely.

I never feel lonely when I am alone. I enjoy my own company and I am never bored. I have felt very lonely in the past, at a time when I was living with someone, but I was not happy in myself. I lacked confidence and had low self-esteem. I have loving relationships and friendships, but I have grown to be very independent and self-sufficient, and I don't need to rely on anyone else, emotionally. I am not in a relationship now and I have no close family, but it is not necessary for me. I can have a happy life on my own.

Hie Lazeebee, sometimes I feel more lonely in the crowd of people than being by my self. Even though they are a lot of happy faces that I see but I do believe there are some who are lonely inside. And people always has the misunderstanding that if you are alone by yourself means that you are lonely.Sometimes they even tend to pity you if they come to know that you went out eating or go shopping alone. I feel that shouldn't be the case, as I for one enjoys to be by myself mostly ,to catch up with my self developments and interests. I think I deserve it since almost the whole week has been taken up being with other people and what is so wrong or pitiful taking a day or two being by myself. Yes, one can also be lonely too by being alone if they are pessimistic about them self and surroundings. And what Buddha has said is so true, 'like yourself' and you will be more optimistic. How can one be lonely when the mind is full of positiveness that radiates to the whole being and things around them Cheers and have a good day!