The Difference Between "Alone" and "Lonely"

Today, after taking three finals and going out for a fun little lunch, I discovered that I may or may not have been left out of a get-together that I would've loved to have been a part of. Sulking for an hour or two, I came to a realization. No, this isn't  a huge epiphany to be written in the stars. It's just important, especially to your self worth: Sometimes, you're going to be alone. People are going to host events that you aren't invited to. People are going to call up a friend to go to a movie - and that person may not be you. You are going to be alone from time to time. And that's okay. Who would we be if we spent every waking moment of our lives attached to the hip of another person?

The key to accepting this is knowing that in your alone...ness, you don't have to be lonely. You don't have to sit in despair, wishing for your phone to buzz with the chance that someone might be on the other side, wanting to talk to you. Think of all the things you can do by yourself that you can't do so well with another person - finish that campaign on Black Ops 3, binge watch Grey's Anatomy on Netflix, redecorate your room, study for all I care! Whatever you do, grasp onto the fact that you will always be stuck with yourself. And I mean that in the best way possible. You know everything that makes you laugh, cry, jump with surprise. Engage in those things. Engage into what you love.

And above all, love yourself, knowing that Jesus loves you infinitely more.

Sure, you may be alone. But lonely? No. Not a chance. Time spent with you, and only you, is time in which you can discover, create, and harness the most beautiful aspects about yourself.