People tend to be lonely today. Regardless of many groups and meetings, gatherings and associations we are increasingly more aware of our detachment from society. Due to the Internet creating illusion of closeness and pseudo-contacts with people you have never met neither will meet, we realize that in the moments of true need we are emotionally lonely.

That is one face of loneliness. But there is another one – to which we pay less attention, since it is about the elderly individuals. Quite often I hear from my clients and people I converse with who say “My children left, husband/wife died and I am so lonely!”.

I would like to look at it from another angle. To me – loneliness of the young generation, due to semi-contacts through Internet, is a real and true problem, which makes me sad. But loneliness of the adults – isn’t it normal? Isn’t it part of the “cycle of life”?

As we grow we give birth to our children and as we raise them to our highest standards and abilities. One day they become adults. They move out, begin their careers and personal lives, which we had prepared them for. Yes, they fly away! But it was us, who gave them wings to fly. We gave them the foundations to build upon. We taught them how to fly.

So – maybe – instead of being sad, down and we should look at them with pride and admiration. Maybe we should also look at ourselves as fulfilled individuals, who once got on “the project” and finished it well. Maybe it is time for us to take a deep breath and begin to think about ourselves.

We, older people, shouldn’t be a burden for our children (at least for as long as we can - health-wise). We should use our time to reach for our dreams and goals, which has not yet been met, since we were so deeply engaged in raising children and providing for them.

In my old country, Poland, there is an increasing amount of “Universities of Third Generation”, where older people can continue their education or begin studying new topics for their own pleasure. There are university professors running classes in the evenings in a formal University setting. Everyone can attend, no fear of failing attached, simply the pleasure and pure satisfaction of learning something new, and progressing in their personal development. Oh! And it does not cost much!

If you are older (I am, my son left home and has his own fascinating life), just take a moment to look at your life in retrospective. See what you have achieved and be happy. If you still can – get busy with your dreams you almost forgot about or find new fascinations! Understand that your job with your family, company, and country has been finished. Now it is your time! Take advantage and go ahead! There is still so much to explore!