No Man Is An Island
No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
John Donne
It takes two to tango, procreate, play a game of pitch and catch. Two is gin rummy - one is solitaire. Three Dog Night sang about one being the loneliest number that there ever was. Barbara Streisand sang about people needing people. While being independent sounds stoic and strong, it also sounds lonely. In the poem, "No Man is an Island," John Donne states plainly, yet forcefully, how human beings are interdependent on each other for company and survival.
As 2013 takes the lead where 2012 left off, it is interesting to reflect on the past year's encounters: Meeting people for the first time, how they have factored into your life, how they have played a major or minor role; how some have stayed and some not.
I happened to meet a few individuals who recognize the basic premise that no man is an island and are doing something to bring people together in various ways; one by one and in groups.
Nightly Healing, founded by Victoria Lichtman, a certified life coach and enthusiast of healing through grace and guidance, fills a need for thousands worldwide by being there, in their home, 365 days a year. It is a nightly program that brings comfort to those who are alone. You can find out more by logging onto http://www.nightlyhealing.com/
Whoever said that it's lonely at the top didn't know about another individual whose path I crossed mid 2012. Greg Bellomy is the CEO to the CEOs! Mentoring a group of CEOs from various professions and career choices, Greg chairs with Vistage Florida. This company has based its niche in recognizing the often solitary work of the hierarchy of a firm and helping those at the top - because it can get lonely up there.
Then there is a wonderful online networking venture, http://www.meetup.com/ that asks you pertinent questions such as gender, where you live, age group and interests to help you establish a fulfilling life that includes new friends and fun things to do. It is a lonely road when you've just moved to a new place or lost your life partner. With Meetup offering thousands of choices of special interest groups you may need to stay in for a night or two to recuperate from so many weekly activities!
Being alone is not easy, but regardless of how your life is playing out – as a CEO at the top of a corporation, a shut-in with only a computer for company or a newcomer to the big city, you don't ever have to feel alone.
No comments:
Post a Comment