ALONE vs LONELY

Loneliness is often a by-product of keeping so many of our thoughts and feelings inside, inevitably feeling like we're the only ones going through whatever we're going through. Embrace vulnerability as our greatest strength, not weakness, and you'll never feel lonely (even when you're alone).
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Timber Hawkeye, best selling author of Buddhist Boot Camp, prescribes gratitude as medicine for people to heal themselves from the inside out. His message invites the best version of you to resurface, inevitably leading to the true meaning of success (being happy), and better health (mental, physical, emotional and spiritual). In an ongoing effort to eradicate society's ever-growing sense of entitlement, which he considers nothing short of an epidemic, and replace it with a sense of appreciation for each breath we are given, Timber's intention is to awaken, enlighten, enrich and inspire, by sharing mindfulness-enhancing techniques that anyone can relate to and implement in their daily lives.

[@nancya4998]

Very good points. I lost my husband 10 months ago and I do feel lonely. I joined a widows group which is helping tremendously. I'll get there. One step at a time.

[@karieide9355]

You are the first person who has really hit upon what being alone/lonely is really all about...perhaps not the first but the one who truly shook me to my core and spoke to my soul. Thank you for your podcasts; you are amazingly the most giving, tranquil, peaceful, compassionate individual I have ever met and you have made a difference in so many lives; a wonderful example of what humanity should be.

[@language-n-learning]

It would be nice to have friends like you describe. But I've never met them. When ever I open up, I get mocked, raged at, etc. Solitude is much healthier than toxic "friends". I liked the message though. Cheers.

[@gooldesai8547]

Very honest and bold explanation.

[@michaeljames2564]

I love these videos. Really make me ponder decisions and look at things in a fresh light. I understand a lot of why I am the way I am, but I have long way to go. Thank you.

[@beakywitch6260]

This was perfect for me today. You are very wise.

[@LifeofRiley4]

Your mind is so open and it is so inspiring. Thank you Timber.

[@markkulas9358]

Hi Timber. I have found you helpful here and elsewhere. It is refreshing to hear what you have to say. Thank you for sharing. I would add one thing regarding loneliness. Sometimes it is hard to find someone to share thoughts and feelings with. Maybe it is more of a Midwest thing, but most people where I am don't seem to want to know my intimate thoughts and feelings; It is too uncomfortable for them. I get lonely, and I want to share with someone, but I really don't know who that would be. I've had friends in the past that I could share with. It was great, but that was about thirty years ago. Since then, most of the time I've been lonely. It is fairly easy and natural for me to open up to people, if I can find someone willing to listen. I rarely find people like me that embrace their vulnerability. Most people I meet, especially men, seem to prefer keeping friends at a distance. I haven't given up yet, but I don't know what to do.

[@TimberHawkeye]

+Mark Kulas I'm curious where your need to share your intimate thoughts and feelings with others comes from.. What I mean is, to what end? For approval? Validation? If not.. then, why? It is when we listen to others that we learn something new, so I understand wanting to hear others.. but what is this need you have to tell others (especially if they're not interested) about your thoughts and feelings? It's a good question to ask yourself, really.. "Why is it not enough for me to be okay with my own thoughts? Why do I need others to hear them too?" There is a great book called "The Untethered Soul" that I recommend you check out: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1572245379/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=1572245379&link_code=as3&tag=budboocam-20

[@markkulas9358]

+Timber Hawkeye I appreciate your response, Timber. I was confused by it at first, but I think I figured it out. In the written introduction to your video it states, "Loneliness is often a by-product of keeping so many of our thoughts and feelings inside, inevitably feeling like we're the only ones going through whatever we're going through. Embrace vulnerability as our greatest strength, not weakness, and you'll never feel lonely (even when you're alone)". I used the words thoughts and feelings from that, but in the video you use words like insecurities, weaknesses and challenges. These words aren't interchangeable, and I think what you say in the video makes more sense than what is in the written introduction. I should have said in my first response "Sometimes I find it hard to find someone to share my challenges, insecurities, and weaknesses with". My experience with most men is that I find they don't want this type of sharing.

[@TimberHawkeye]

+Mark Kulas I understand the confusion, Mark. It's important to know your audience. Here's an example that might make more sense: a lot of people tell me that they are REALLY close with their family (parents, siblings, etc.), but there are many things that their parents, brothers and/or sisters don't know about them (sometimes rather crucial elements of their identity). It leaves me perplexed, therefore, as to what they mean when they say that they're "super close" with their family? The type of closeness and intimacy I'm suggesting isn't quantified by how often they talk on the phone or see one another, but how much of one another they let each other see. Am I making any more sense? It might be challenging to find a perfect stranger willing to have an intimate conversation with you, but what about the people you're already close to? If they love you like they say they love you, then a little bit of discomfort is nothing compared to the support they're willing to provide, given the chance.. but you can't force that on someone. Don't get me wrong, I've encountered plenty of resistance in my own life, but it served as a filter of good friends vs. acquaintances.

[@54charmed]

+Mark Kulas I feel that's because men are conditioned to not share their feelings and emotions. Especially with men...social fear I guess..

[@KimmieThorne]

Just came across you and very much enjoying your videos. Thank you

[@CM-vl4wi]

People hate that I'm okay being alone. It cracks me up 😂

[@danielthegreat4161]

I’m stimulated with this video 🤤