You have heard me say, many times before, here, “I am alone but not lonely”.
It has been, over the last few years, my mantra and mission.
Alone refers to physical isolation or being without company. It describes a state where you are alone, devoid of others’ presence. Sometimes, circumstances lead us to be alone—whether by choice or necessity.
Being alone is neither inherently positive nor negative; it simply describes a state of being.
Loneliness is an emotional state characterized by isolation, disconnection, or longing for companionship. It’s about feeling emotionally alone, even when surrounded by people.
On this recent, month-long trip to the Cape, for the first time, in a long time, I felt both alone and lonely.
Maybe it was the winter chill? Or seeing my dear Dad moving, slowly and helplessly, towards his journey’s end? Maybe it was the eerily quietness of Lambert Road? Maybe it was struggling through attachments, business plans, health issues, the list goes on? Who knows? We live. We breathe. We die. It’s all good. Life is good. We move through life, through aloneness, through loneliness. One breath and step at a time.
Cameras, indeed, lack feelings—they’re mere mechanical devices. Yet, when wielded by a photographer, they become conduits for sensation, impression, and perception. Through your lens, you capture more than pixels; you immortalize emotions. Each click is an act of connection—a bridge between the external world and your innermost self.
So, as you navigate life’s twists and turns, remember this: You’re never truly alone. The art you create, the memories you freeze in time—they echo with the heartbeat of shared humanity and humility. And in that, you find both solace and company.
Click
Jack
