My son goes to his father's house for one month in the summer. At first I love being alone since I have never lived on my own. I love the quiet, having full control of the television and internet, coming and going as I please, not having anyone to cook for and no one else to consider but myself.

About three weeks later, I miss him and can't wait until he comes home. I start experiencing my solitude as loneliness. I want someone to watch television with. I'm sick of the internet. I wish I had someone to cook for and eat with. I start craving company. Once I start getting lonely, I begin to have a pity party for myself.

I begin to focus on all the injustices in my life, that I am single and lonely. I become angry that I never met someone special to share my life with. I get frustrated that things haven't changed as quickly or as drastically as I wish they would. This is when I wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep. I toss and turn, wondering why things turned out as they have and if I will grow old alone.

What I realize, is that my fearful thoughts cause the loneliness, not necessarily being alone. I become lonely at the thought that my life will go on as it is indefinitely. I am content with things in the moment. I become panicked and fearful when I project into the future and see myself growing old alone. I begin to worry that God has forgotten about me. I bring myself back into the present moment and I return to a peaceful state of being.

I remind myself, I am happy in this moment. I don't know if I will ever meet a romantic partner that I get to spend my life with. The future is unknown. It may or it may not happen. I accept things as they are right now. I remind myself how much better my life has gotten over the years. If the future is a prediction of the past, then things will continue to improve.

I stop and think of all the friends I have and all the fun things I get to do with them. I focus on the family that I love, the times we spend together. I reach over and give my dogs a big hug and kiss on the snout. I take a deep breath and let go of the gripping fear and loneliness. I return to the NOW.

I know that I would never want to get into or stay in a relationship just to have someone. For me, it's more important to have peace and contentment in my life rather than being in an unhealthy relationship that is full of disappointment, arguing or incompatibility.

I am a very strong, independent person, yet, I also would like to be taken care of sometimes. We all have a need for nurturance, companionship and affection. It is when we allow our needs for these things to permit us to get entangled in situations that do not serve us.

It seems in this hard economic climate that many couples are staying in unhealthy relationships because they fear not being able to make it on their own financially. There are options to getting out of unhealthy situations that might require effort but will ultimately lead to happiness. I would rather be alone and content than in a dissatisfying relationship. It depends on what we are choosing to experience.

Loneliness is really not a condition of having a partner or not. There are many times we experience feeling lonely when we are in a room filled with people. It is something that is missing inside of us. Loneliness is when we feel the separation from God. It occurs when we forget we are all interconnected. We think we have been forgotten by God, that our needs will never be met.

So much of the violence, depression and confusion happening in our world right now is because people are experiencing loneliness within their Souls. They are acting out in this way because they forget that there is more to life than what we can see with our eyes. We forget that our thoughts, and actions have the power to create.

Here is my little secret of what I do when I wake up in the middle of the night, panicked and alone. I envision in my mind being an old lady. I'm sitting in a rocking chair. I realize I have had a full and satisfying life. I think back to all my fond memories of things I've experienced in my life, all my precious friends and family. I recall all the crazy and fun things I've done!

As I'm rocking in my rocking chair, I have tucked in my heart, all of the life I have lived. In this moment, as an old, old lady, I have no regrets. In fact, sometimes I'll envision a grandchild or young person that I share some of the secret adventures of my life with.

After I see and feel this image for a few minutes, I roll over and give my dogs a pat and a kiss then I turn over and go back to sleep.

The Magic of the Indigo Child CD by Stefanie $9.99 plus shipping Discover the attributes and characteristics of the Indigo Child and become aware of practical and spiritual techniques to assist the Indigo's in leading a more harmonious and balanced life.

I feel this pang of loneliness. I am afraid you have forgotten me. I have prayed for a beloved partner yet still it hasn't arrived. I fear it never will. Don't get me wrong, God, I'm happy with my life. I really appreciate my friends and family. I am proud of all my growth.

Truthfully, God, I know that if I didn't have this time alone right now, I wouldn't be accomplishing all the things I have. I know this time has been very beneficial. I am very grateful for this opportunity to get to know myself and do all the things I'm doing.

I honor where I am in this moment of my life. Deep in my heart I know things are as they are meant to be. I do trust You, that my life plan is unfolding as it should.

I release these feelings of loneliness. I surrender my will. I relax into solitude and take this opportunity to connect with You, sweet Spirit.

As I allow myself to surrender I am no longer afraid. I see I am, in fact, not alone. I feel Your presence within and around me and I am at peace.

And so it is.

Amen.