As I am sitting here in my little niche in the world, surrounded by the stillness of the night hours, I am filled with a profound sense of connection to the universe and to all of the lovely individuals in my world. And yet, I am alone in this moment, with no one physically present to experience it with. It's a paradox, is it not? To be solitary, and yet, feel present to everything and everyone. It's a sensation that defies description, but it's one which I have learned to appreciate and nurture in my existence. For me, alone but not, is about embracing the grace of solitude, yet knowing I'm never actually alone. I'm connected to the natural world, to the air that I breathe, to the sun shining down upon me, and to the stars twinkling above at night. I'm not with the people I care about, but I feel them in my heart. I feel their love, their energy, and their presence, and I know they feel mine as well. It's a feeling of oneness that cannot be bounded by distance and time, and it's one that I've grown to depend on, particularly in times of doubt or adversity. Being alone but connected is also about loving my own inner world, in all its strangeness and complexity. It's about hearing my own heartbeat, my own intuition, and my own inner wisdom. It's about believing in myself, and knowing that I am capable of co-creating the life I desire, even when the world around us appears confusing or disordered. As I consider this idea, I'm taken back by the words of Rainer Maria Rilke, who once stated, "The only journey is the one within." For me, being alone and still connected means to take that journey inward, with all its turns and curves, and learn about the depths of my own soul. It's a path that is not always smooth, but it's one that is full of beauty, wonder, and magic. And it's one that I'm thankful to be on, because it's enabled me to relate to others at a deeper level, to discover meaning and purpose in my existence, and to experience the world in all its splendor. So if you're feeling disconnected, or alone, I want you to know that you're not alone. You're connected to me, to the universe, and to all the people who care about you. And you're connected to yourself, with all your strengths, weaknesses, and quirks. Keep in mind, alone is a blessing, a reminder that we are never really alone, and that we are always part of something larger than ourselves. So breathe in, feel the connection, and know you are loved, no matter what.