This may come across as sorrowfull and depressing, but paging through these threads, I see a lot of people who need a friend or a something to relate to and I'm not just talking about those who spend their life sat behind a computor screen, typing away in answer to someone's thread, I'm talking about those who pop-in now and again to see if they get at least an answer or recognition.

I've started this thread for those who want to aire out and have their say without ridicule.

This is Spanky and a friend.

Hi Spanks... well I don't feel lonely.. but I surely enjoy the interaction. I'm what you might call 'socially hungry'...and if I'm anywhere... on a tram.. train.. waiting for something.. I love it when someone comes along.. specially in the sauna at gym.. usually I'm alone in there and I get lots of thoughts in that peaceful environment... reflect on life.. politics etc.. when someone comes along I always greet them with 'Ahah... someone to talk to'....

If anyone DOES feel lonely.. I thoroughly recommend 2 things.

1/ STOP feeling sorry for urself...
2/ GET INVOLVED with some kind of activity which you enjoy.

a) Public speaking
b) Gym.. self defense
c) Church
d) Some kind of cause..

You will inevitably meet people who think like you.. and who's company you can enjoy..(unless ur such a sad sack wallowing in self pity you repulse everyone who comes within a bulls roar of you)

One of the most gratifying human experiences is.. finding interesting people who actually LIKE YOU for who you are.

So.. try to look OUTward.. be likeable.. develop a sense of humor.. don't let the problems of the world weigh you down till you are 'flat out like a lizard drinking' and I don't mean that in the usual 'busy' way :)

So....there :)

Hey DB,

Can I just ask, given most of your posts generally include some reference to your strong religious beliefs, do you normally include such beliefs in your general conversation when you meet people? Either way, why is that?

cheers,

gw

Hi Spanky,I'm not lonely, though i do spend a lot of time at home alone.Between making toys etc for disadvantaged people and running a household i sit and enjoy reading other peoples take on life .When i think about how hard life has been on occassions,it does me good to read about others and their hardships.I realise i've been very lucky in many ways,most notably the fact that i've always been healthy.Good luck to you and yours and think of this as having a social life without the hassles.

SPANKY you are a good person so too in my mind is BD it is no crime to try to sell something you believe is the only answer to life.
It however pains some me included but no less than my constant harping about the better world we can have if we trust man.
Lonely? you will not help anyone here, good intentions and all ,most of us want to be heard or state a different view than our once proud Medea does.
In every street in our country people walk past each other ignoring every one.
Our separatist life's we ourself craft leave us totally alone if one dies or leaves our two party world.
Yes hay girl says it for me too not lonely but understanding many are, sometimes we all are.
volunteering is not always the answer , we can not get people to run our social clubs but we do need to do something.
Once our neighbors had a key to our house now we may not even know them, why?
How about a group like the old Bs? a social group that shouted I want to be your mate?
Do not tell anyone I have lost my card I would have to shout for all present.
Rules for that new group?
1 Talk to me I will not bite you and always have the time.
2
Never ask or tell if you are in the group to help or because you are lonely
Badges must be warn every time you are away from home.
true regards SPANKY for just being a caring person.

Hi there gw....

golly gosh :) I think I only mentioned 'church' as one of a number of very general options in my last post.. is that what you were referring to ?

I have great conversations with people about many things. Last night I had a great chat with a bloke at gym who was in East Timor as one of our special forces elite. He was doing Bushido/Karate... I asked him about the challenges of facing an enemy and the emotional stuggles of possibly having to kill people "enemy" and we both agreed that the most difficult enemy to be willing to kill is a female one.
He spoke about others who refused to goto E.Timor..and got out of the service..

The subject of 'coping with the ideas of right and wrong in time of war' did crop up in our convo, and I did mention God.. but I did so as a means of establishing a reference point for a soldier. I was particularly interested in his view on 'what underpins our sense of identity and connects us with something bigger than ourselves'...
My purpose was not to 'bash' him with God talk, I was genuinely interested in how a soldier in a very existential world, feels when he is suddenly in...then out.. of an intense Military situation, where most people don't have a clue about what they went through.

I speak about God if a conversation leads to it...and I do it more with questions than providing answers....unless the person wishes to know more.

Do I look for opportunities to share Christ with all and sundry ? absolutely. Generally, I know the difference between 'preaching' and persuading.. and when to back off.

Here... people can choose to read or not read what I say :) So..I say more than normal.