Loneliness -- is it worth it?

Q:  I am in a relationship that I know I should leave, but I am afraid of being alone.  I am 55, female, and don't expect to be dating in the future.  C.N.

A:  The word alone is a contraction of the two words, All One.  Being alone is the only way to discover who you really are.  The journey is one not many undertake willingly, because people tend to associate solitude with loneliness.  Some self-knowledge occurs in company; complete self-knowledge cannot be accomplished except by oneself.

Being alone, the company you will be keeping is up to you.  You can explore all the facets and parts of yourself.  Is this what frightens you?  Breathe into your fears.  "Fear is excitement without the breath."  Bring your attention to your breath, to the inhale and exhale, to the flow of blood that takes the fresh energy to every part of your body, and brings out the stale energy.  Realize that as you release the fear through your exhale, you are feeding all the vegetation around you, just as it releases oxygen, which keeps you alive.

Explore.  Explore outward, all the things you've ever found intriguing.  The Internet is a wonderful resource.  So are books.  So are friends, the ones who are healthy for you.  And explore inward.  Journal.  Go to all the places inside where you haven't gone yet.  Get to know yourself, the only person whose company you are guaranteed 24-7 for the rest of your life.  I promise you, once you get started, you will find the journey to your own center thrilling.