Seven years ago (but who’s counting?), I created and published my other lone daily blog post with the title “Alone in the presence of others.”
In the presence of others, here and now, I notice that earlier blog post
- focuses on group therapy,
- has no photos, and
- has no comments.
Since then, I’ve made a t-shirt that says,”Alone in the presence of others,” which seems even more relevant during these pandemic days.
We are always in the presence of others, even when we feel alone. There’s a beautiful group intervention about that in the incredible new series GROUP on YouTube. GROUP features scripted characters, improvised interactions, and the renowned group therapist Elliot Ziesel, PhD as Dr. Ezra, the group leader. At the end of the first episode (at 14:31), there’s this exchange:
Karina: But the thing about unconditional love is that you can lose it.
Dr. Ezra: Unconditional love?
Karina: Yes.
Dr. Ezra: How can you lose that?
Karina: My mother died.
Karina: You don’t continue to talk to her? She doesn’t continue to live inside you somewhere?
Karina: She does.
Dr. Ezra: She’s gone, but she’s not dead.
Yesterday, when I was alone in the presence of others, I …
- watched several episodes of GROUP,
- thought about my late mother and my late father,
- communicated with my lone child, Aaron, who is in the presence of others 3,068 miles away in Edinburgh, Scotland (but who’s counting?),
- told Aaron about GROUP, and
- took all these photos:
That delicious toasted quinoa was alone in the presence of others on my dinner plate last night, thanks to the presence of my dear husband Michael.
Would you like to be alone in the presence of others in the comments section, below?
Today’s expression of gratitude is alone in the presence of others.
You know minds and souls, Ann.
Thank you for your mindful, soulful presence, my friend.
If you are alone in the presence of others, it is lucky if one of the others loves to cook. 😊
I am sure I am not alone in loving this comment, Maureen!
I am sure that I’m not alone in the presence of others in loving Ingrid’s thank you drawing!
You are not alone, Peter!
Has Scotland started their phase 2, Ann? Have a nice day
Looks like they are starting this week. Thanks for another nice comment.
I enjoy your pictures, Ann. I feel like I’m on your walk with you. I am alone In the presence of others during this shutdown. Thank goodness for my mutt Rizzo and social media when I can FaceTime with my grandsons. The saving grace for me is Spring! Yes, we have finally started warming up here in central Canada. The Canada geese are parading out their goslings, so I guess it’s an official Spring season. I’m alone but know thanks to your daily cheer that I am in the presence of others. Stay safe.
Thank goodness for your presence, my friend. <3
That picture of wisteria stands out for me because, before they moved to Florida, where I was planning to visit them this month before the pandemic, my parents planted wisteria. It wouldn’t bloom until they took a shovel and hacked at the roots. Then it bloomed profusely.
There’s a lesson there in adversity bringing out the beauty.
Thanks for all the lessons you bring, my friend.
Alone in the presence of others is something I am familiar with……………………..
I like going on walks via my laptop andnot my feet……………..
I have face time withmy grandsons most days as in face to face in person
It’s wonderful to have any time with you, Jo-Anne!
that video series is riveting. And that wisteria needs to be got away from that poor holly before it kills it.
Thank you for another riveting comment, Lisa!
thank you for sharing your days and insights with us, ann. you make us feel not so alone among others. and I am thrilled about the hopscotch, which can be played alone as well as with others.
You play so well with others, my friend.
Alone but together in spirit, my dear friend! (Ɔ ˘⌣˘)♥(˘⌣˘ C)(Ɔ ˘⌣˘)♥(˘⌣˘ C)(Ɔ ˘⌣˘)♥(˘⌣˘ C)
Thank you for your spirit, my wonderful friend!
♥*♡∞:｡.｡(⁎⁍̴̛͂▿⁍̴̛͂⁎)*｡.｡:∞♡*♥
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