More than 60% of Americans self-report feelings of chronic loneliness. We long for deeper connection, so why do we seem to be struggling to experience it?
I have often been the initiator, the pursuer if you will. I too feel tired and frustrated. It feels heavy sometimes to carry the momentum of a friendship or feel like the one responsible for pursuing. I want to assume the best of people and their motives. I get stuck, however, when it remains only words and the lack of integrity to follow through leaves me disheartened. Sometimes I think, “If I hear one more person say, ‘oh I meant to but I just got so busy’ I’ll go mad.” Or if this same person blows me off again for some more “me” time I’ll scream.
I have struggled and continue to struggle with releasing my friendships of this expectation of mutuality that does not and will not always exist.
Thanks for such an honest response, Tawni. I resonate with the pain and frustration you're describing. This is a place that I find it very hard to "be kind" as I mentioned in the article. I know cognitively everyone is doing their best, but sometimes I wish they would do better:-) I'm praying you can continue to sort through this and find your people.
Ryan, this is great work. It speaks to the lonely fearful boy that still lives within me. I often try to dress that little boy up in men’s clothing. I know most men struggle with the same issue and chose to live in fear and shame, rather than to admit it.
This is the lonely road. I long to be in a community with other men (like you) that strive to live naked and unashamed.
Thank you for your writings, they are helpful, encouraging and ofter Hope.
Hey Robert, thank you so much for your honesty. It’s so hard. We hide for understandable reasons. At one point in our lives it was most likely essential for our survival. The problem comes when we never learn that we are safe to shed those things and live in the open with God, ourselves and one another. Thankful for men like you who are trying hard to figure it out and show a way forward.
I have often been the initiator, the pursuer if you will. I too feel tired and frustrated. It feels heavy sometimes to carry the momentum of a friendship or feel like the one responsible for pursuing. I want to assume the best of people and their motives. I get stuck, however, when it remains only words and the lack of integrity to follow through leaves me disheartened. Sometimes I think, “If I hear one more person say, ‘oh I meant to but I just got so busy’ I’ll go mad.” Or if this same person blows me off again for some more “me” time I’ll scream.
I have struggled and continue to struggle with releasing my friendships of this expectation of mutuality that does not and will not always exist.
Thanks for such an honest response, Tawni. I resonate with the pain and frustration you're describing. This is a place that I find it very hard to "be kind" as I mentioned in the article. I know cognitively everyone is doing their best, but sometimes I wish they would do better:-) I'm praying you can continue to sort through this and find your people.
Ryan, this is great work. It speaks to the lonely fearful boy that still lives within me. I often try to dress that little boy up in men’s clothing. I know most men struggle with the same issue and chose to live in fear and shame, rather than to admit it.
This is the lonely road. I long to be in a community with other men (like you) that strive to live naked and unashamed.
Thank you for your writings, they are helpful, encouraging and ofter Hope.
Love you.
Hey Robert, thank you so much for your honesty. It’s so hard. We hide for understandable reasons. At one point in our lives it was most likely essential for our survival. The problem comes when we never learn that we are safe to shed those things and live in the open with God, ourselves and one another. Thankful for men like you who are trying hard to figure it out and show a way forward.