Fighting Loneliness One Idea At A Time

Continued from page 2

One method to fighting loneliness is to stay out of self. Visit a nursing home. People in nursing homes are lonely too and some never get visitors, so sit down and talk to them. Consider writing a letter to a friend or family member of the resident. They might be lonely at the other end and receiving a letter will perk them up. Join a church or a parish in your neighborhood. Volunteers are always needed in a parish or church. Become a volunteer for a local charity.

I have been battling loneliness most of my life and even more so the last five years, as I have been coping with a disease that pretty much keeps me tied to the house. I picked up my knitting and found an organization that needs my talent by making items for the homeless shelters in my area. When one of our missionaries caught wind of what I was doing, she asked me if I could knit hats for the 300-plus children she provides housing for in Nepal. Well, how could I say no? I love children, but I didn’t know how I was going to provide enough for what she needed. I ended up finding a local knitting group to go to and be with other ladies and fill the void of being alone plus help the children at the same time.

If you have talents of some kind, search out your local area and see if you can volunteer somewhere just to get out of the house. I found several years ago that even the school can use volunteers to simply cut and prepare things for the teachers for their classes.
--Melanie, Forest, Va.

The best thing to battle loneliness is to help others. Part of loneliness is self-pity. Donating food at a food bank and helping to hand it out, going to a soup kitchen and volunteering your time, reading stories to senior citizens who can no longer see well, these things will make your life richer and much fuller. Understanding that there are others in the world who are as lonely as you, and filling that void together by reaching out to them is the best way to eliminate the problem.
--Marcia, Bellevue, Wash.

Stay in the present, love yourself, and have relevant principles that don't just benefit you, but also those around you. Get involved in helping other people and other living beings (nature). The more you give of yourself, the more people will see the value of your wisdom and be attracted to you. Community service and involvement in social causes will lead you on the path to loving yourself so others may also love you. This action on your part will provide social opportunities that solidify true friendships and can lead to long-term companionship and loving relationships.
--Charlie, Arcata, Cal.

Continued on page 4: 'Make the Trinity your best friend' »