“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone,” Blaise Pascal wrote in the 17th century.

I like others and have socialized for many decades, but given the choice I’d rather be alone.

I watch people who don’t know what to do with themselves if they are alone. Now, a lot of people don’t know what to do with themselves without a phone.

Instead of looking at it as withdrawing from others, I view it as learning to enjoy the time alone and discover the real me.

Writing has been invaluable to me. I write here, but my diaries are hundreds of thousands of words that are how I find out who I am and how to cope with the day to day issues. It helps me put my thoughts together before I have to face people because most can out talk me before I can put my thoughts together cogently.

Once you have mastered the ability to be alone, you have freed yourself from the bonds of others to live life on your own terms.