Closeness in Distance…Is it Possible?

Let’s Learn from the Moon and the Sea

Is it possible to have control over someone you're miles away from? Questioning myself I looked up to the sky and saw the shiny and glorious moon, which lit up the sky without even trying for it. There it was, the answer to my question! 

Relationship of the Moon and the Sea

My thoughts floating around reached the connection between the moon and the sea. Moon is miles away from the ocean, yet it has control over its tidal waves. Like these waves dance with the melody of the moon, which can be heard only by them. Like the moon sings a song for the sea to realize how much noise it holds within its calmness. Like the moon has the key to unravelling the power of the sea. 

What an extraordinary connection it is! Being so far away doesn't stop the moon from awakening the ocean's fire, and the vigor it holds. Without even stroking the surface of the sea, the moon can make it sway with its enigmatic aura. 

A beautiful lesson we can take from their relationship. Yes, it's important to stay close to someone you love or adore. But staying close to the heart is more important than just staying close to the skin. Connecting soul to soul is what creates the magic. 

Sometimes, you might be close to someone yet far away just like the water in a desert. And sometimes, even when you're physically distant from someone, you're as close to them as the breath down your lungs. This distance looks like a thorn in the heart yet feels like an illusion.

The sea might want to touch the beauty of the moon and the moon might want to feel the gentleness of the sea, but all they can do is look each other in the eyes and give the strength they are lacking. They never met each other, and will never meet in the future, yet they have a connection for eternity.

 

Related Post: Why is Being Alone Important Too?

What’s the Moral?

The purpose of the above illustration is not to encourage you to maintain physical distance from your loved ones but to enhance the intactness of the bond. You might be in a long-distance relationship, you might be living away from your family, or your friends might not be sharing the same city with you. Situations might have drawn a geographic boundary between you and your people. But that’s okay, you may not have control over the situation but you can still choose to control the harmony of your relations.

So I had a dispute with one of my closest friends and we went straight one and a half month without talking with each other. It was indeed tormenting for both of us. We were so close physically yet so apart emotionally. But then we decided to fill those gaps back and reconnect (thanks to our friends who conspired and locked us up in a classroom!). We have our fair share of arguments but we share an amazing bond. We chose to keep our emotional strings attached!

It’s not just the physical closeness that defines any relationship but the emotional closeness and the depth of the bond! Intimacy, the emotional connection has a bigger role to play. Be it with a family member, a friend, a lover, or anyone you share a beautiful bond with, cherish the connection, not just the physical proximity. 

So, did you discover the answer to the question, “Closeness in distance…is it possible?”? What’s your definition of distance? Let me know in the comments below! :)

Why is Being Alone Important Too?

 Solitude: The Art of Being Alone Without Being Lonely

They say being lonely is as dangerous for one's health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. But does that mean we should be surrounded by people 24/7? Does that mean being alone and lonely share the same equation? There’s a beautiful concept of solitude that has the key to these questions.

I have this habit of being on my own, escaping to take a walk with myself on my college campus. My friends often say, “Sonal, don’t roam around alone, you might get lost.” (I have quite a reputation for it ;) ). I know there’s a tint of care in their dialogues but what can I say? I’m a sucker for solitude. I crave such moments where I can be with myself, where I can converse with the person residing in me, and where I can peek within myself to explore, enhance, and embrace myself. 

Well, that’s my love for solitude but do you know what real benefits solitude can serve us? How reserving some “me time” can become a gateway to happiness? Let’s explore the answers to these questions and more!

Solitude Versus Loneliness

Though the terms Solitude and Loneliness are sometimes used interchangeably, there’s a thin line separating them both. One common road that they follow is the state of being alone. The divergence that draws them apart is the purpose serving that road, the urge, the thoughts and emotions accompanying it, and its nature.  

Loneliness is an undesirable negative state where one yearns for someone’s presence; there’s a feeling of vacuum that the person tries to fill. In contrast, solitude is a positive and exploratory state where one desire for their own company. It’s being alone while not being lonely, allowing the person to engage with themselves. Loneliness might be imposed while solitude is chosen. 

Loneliness makes the person dwell in misery, and feel discontented. On the contrary, solitude imbibes a feeling of bliss, and pure contentment with the time spent alone. Solitude rejuvenates the mind and body whereas loneliness drains out a person.

Why is Solitude Important?

• Knowing thyself: Solitude helps in pausing the hustle and bustle of everyday life and glancing at a mirror to see one's inner reflection. Uncovering the innermost layers of Self. Taking out time to get to know oneself better. If you are on a mission of understanding others then how can you forget to understand the most important person, 'yourself' first? And to know, giving oneself the deserving time is the key! 

• It allows you to love who you are: Spending time with yourself allows you to shift your focus from filters to the real picture. Solitude teaches us to embrace all our flaws, the scars, and the beauty within. And when you accept the real you, you begin pouring love unconditionally. Let's put it this way, you meet an amazing person residing within you and you can't resist but fall deeper in love with them. And it gives you the power to sprinkle that love on others as well. 

• It boosts creativity: Thinking out of the box needs one to jump out from the chaotic box of the world. Taking out some time for oneself opens the door to creativity. When the mind is away from all the strings of the world and close to peace, you witness a spark of creativity. The alone time becomes a channel for all the ideas yearning to come out. The creative juices flow with more speed and sweetness.

• It enhances mental health: Cherishing solitude is a wonderful way to make sure that your mental and emotional health is taken care of. In the marathon of life, we often forget to take a pause and breathe. We forget to feed our mind with the peace it craves for. Solitude allows us to discover that peace and inculcate healthier habits. It helps in clearing the clutter of your mind and fuels a relaxed state.

It allows you to unplug from the world and reconnect with yourself and your innermost thoughts and emotions. It can aid in reducing stress and anxiety, and it can also help to give you the space and time to focus on yourself and your goals.

 

How to Indulge in Solitude?

Solitude is a great way to refresh and rejuvenate yourself. Here are some ways to practice solitude:

1. Take a long walk in nature. Let the fresh air caress you softly and eliminate the harshness of time. Feel the beauty of the landscape and the peacefulness of being alone.

2. Unplug for a day. Put away the devices and screens to which your eyes and mind are glued. Spend some time reading, writing, or painting in a quiet and serene environment.

3. Practice meditation. Find a quiet spot and focus on your breathing, or listen to a guided meditation.

4. Spend an afternoon in a museum or gallery. Enjoy the art without having to engage with other people.

5. Find a peaceful go-to place in your home and spend some time there. Listen to soothing music, drink some herbal tea, and take some time for yourself.

6. Go to a cafe alone. Bring a book, journal, or a project you can work on and enjoy some alone time.

7. Engage yourself in the things you relish. Go on a solo date and shower some love on yourself.

You move towards growth and fulfilment when you reflect upon yourself. You become more aware of what's brewing in that mind and that invites contentment to your door. Enjoy your company, pamper yourself a bit, be your best friend, and explore yourself and new realms of life. Give yourself permission to savour the silence and be grateful for the chance to take some much-needed time off.

Solitude is a great way to dig deeper within yourself and find yourself in this extremely crowded world. So, are you ready to reconnect with yourself? 

How did you find this article? What importance does solitude hold for you?  Let me know in the comments below! :)