Because I am an introspective, contemplative person, I enjoy spending a lot of time alone, and in fact, need that to charge my batteries! Time alone with the dogs sometimes is very nice for me, and after a few busy days is much needed.

Even so, I enjoy social interations as well, and as you mentioned, it is necessary for the well-being of most of us. I think different people need different amounts of socialization. An OK amount for some people is not enough for others. An introvert will need much less company and activities than an extrovert. Some will feel lonely after a day or two in the house and that doesn't bother others in the least.

Loneliness takes a toll because we need contrast, stimulation, approval, interaction, conversation and more. We like to feel we have contributed to the happiness of others, even if it is just a courtesy in the grocery store, or a small favor to a child. Even isolated animals will exhibit a lot of stress after awhile. It is simply not our normal state for many complex reasons.

Thankfully there are many opportunities to socialize for most of us: time with family, the contact we have with others in stores, banks, and in our neighborhoods. We can do volunteer work, we can be friendly at work, we can join clubs, go to health clubs, go to churches, synagogues and mosques if we like, we can join political committees and on and on. The list is endless. So for *emphasized text*most of us there is no need to be lonely unless we choose to be.

And perhaps that is why we are not more supportive of the lonely. Perhaps we think they are that way by choice. Maybe we think the hand that is not reaching out is the hand that prefers to keep to itself.

When I was working in a nursing home (while a teenager in high school) though, I saw first hand how cruel people can be to the lonely. The people there were not there by choice, they were there due to advanced age or serious health issues. It was not their choice to be isolated. So many of them never had visits from family or friends, even on birthdays or holidays. Time passes very slowly for the people in such a facility. There are occasional activites, and sometimes a friendly person to talk to but largely it is loneliness and fear, pain. While I was working, we would sometimes need to call one of the families to give them some news or updates. Often they would say that they could not visit the nursing home because it was depressing to them. How selfish can you get? And there is your other answer. We don't reach out to the truly lonely because we are selfish and afraid their maladies may rub off on us, as if the "stink" of old age or illness may follow us home. Not a nice answer, but the true one I think! Sad, isn't it?

If only all knew that we are never alone. I had the same problem a few years ago until a friend said isn't it sad that we come into this world alone and whenever we have problems we feel alone and than at death we have to go through it alone.

My friend was wrong as my intuition told me that we are never alone. We all of us on this planet are interconected with one another and with everything else. The moment I figured that out my lonelines wanished and I felt reborn. I knew that God resided within me and when you walk with God you never walk alone.

Yes human relationships are very important and it has been proven that people who have a social circle, no matter if they be friends or family, live longer. It is even more important that you realize what you carry within you for than you never again need to feel lonliness.

The reason some people shun the lonly and especialy lonly old souls is that 98% of their conversation is allways about their illness or operation or some misfortune and allways in such a negative way. It is mostly negative people that are avoided for when one leaves them it takes quiet a while to feel positive and normal again. Not all can handle such negativety.

The jolly old or young are never lonly for they attract people to them like flies to huny and they make people feel good and positive for a while afterwards.

There is a golden nuget of wisdom there. If you dont want to be lonly be Jolly and smile and be happy for than you shall never be without human contact and kindness. You get what you give remember.

Loneliness is a self inflected condition that we create it into our life, based upon our own self deception. Since we create our own destiny, then we are the ones that create loneliness, and pain into our life and loneliness is a part of self punishment, and the feeling of feeling undeserving. It is only you who can correct this loneliness, and pain, by changing your behavior, and your cognition.

ask one who has renounced the world. he will nvr feel lonely. so loneliness itelf is nothing. there is a huge difference in being alone n being lonely. we all r alone, bt we may or may nt be lonely. loneliness hurts to those with weak minds, like the majority of ppl (including me). so the real problem is not in loneliness, bt in not being able to control our emotions. gain a considerate amount of control over ur mind, n loneliness will amuse u, coz only the strong can derive the fruits that loneliness offers. the rest will virtually die.