Maybe there's one part of that "hole of loneliness" that can never be filled by others (people, pets, or robots 🙃). There's nothing wrong with leaning on others for friendship, guidance, encouragement, inspiration, etc. True friendship, that soul deep connection we can experience with lifelong relationships or mere strangers, is, to paraphrase you, one of the things that make this life so "darn beautiful." <br><br>But, when we always look to outsiders for companionship and guidance on how to understand ourselves, there's part of us that, in moments of darkest despair or "brutalest" 🙂honesty, knows that we've been cowards. We overused friendship. We had battles to fight (eg. understanding the good and bad of our nature, conquering our darker tendencies, etc) and we expected friends to go with us into those battles because we weren't strong enough to bear the pain that comes from fighting those battles on our own.<br><br>Again, there's nothing wrong with relying on friends. On the contrary, as Gilbert Strang wrote, "Working with friends is a happy way to live." But there are some "holes of loneliness" we must learn to fill on our own. That's a painful lesson that not many are willing to learn. I still struggle with it, and, frankly, I think I always will. It's just part of human nature. 🙂<br><br>Another great interview, Lex. Sorry I'm not more creative in my compliments when it comes to your interviews. They're just perfect. 😊,(reply>), Fill the hole with love.  <br><br>Or emptiness. <br><br>Or choose not to perceive the existence of this hole. <br><br>Imagination is... ? <br><br>I perceive a very relaxing swimming hole. <br><br>You are the gate and the gate keeper. <br><br>Where are you now? <br><br>Enjoy where you are. <br><br>Show yourself how and show others how... yes it is a show. <br><br>Hello, my name is Charlie. <br><br>Stop and ponder! <br><br>Breathe well and say in your most joyful voice... <br><br>"Charlie is correct!" <br>Say it 7 times. The louder the better as long as you are not being mean to anyone. <br>Is someone there with you? <br>Say it to them joyfully. <br>"Charlie is correct!" <br><br>It is your joy.  <br><br>Make a wonderful day.,(reply>), @coscorrodrift I'm definitely closer to your situation than what the OP was describing.   I often consciously find myself pulling away from others rather than leaning on "help" because of a mindset that it shows some inherent weakness in myself.  I guess an easy way to put it is a somewhat unhealthy overemphasis towards self-reliance.,(reply>), ayy not sure why you say you're not creative in your compliments!! A well written and interesting comment like yours is the best way to show appreciation. <br><br>I loved reading your comment, by the way. I obviously struggle with that, and this pandemic has probably  a ton of people thinking about that too, but as someone who isn't that talkative or social it's something that's on my mind a great percent of the time. I have kind of the opposite experience though, rather than knowing I've been a coward for overusing friendships, I think I may be "underusing" them, and/or not letting friends "use" me as often as maybe I should let them (in a non dirty way lmao)