Surprising solution to loneliness

The cure for loneliness can be summed up in three words: gratitude, generosity and boundaries. But we rarely hear these qualities mentioned.

[Spoiler alert: Gratitude and generosity will be covered in a separate post.]

Last week, CNN came out with an article titled "Some of you are bad friends, and that's why you're lonely." But I think a more accurate headline for this audience would be, "Some of us have had bad friends (and that's why we were lonely)."

The CNN piece admonished those who flake out on their friends at the last minute, whether it's for a coffee date, someone's wedding or something in between. No one can disagree, that's a problem.

But I'm just not convinced that the so-called bad friends are the ones who are lonely. The article even acknowledged that often these folks cancel without a second thought. So I kind of doubt they're home crying in their pillow.

What about when you're the one being canceled on, over and over? You get to make friends (again) with your limitations and boundaries.

More specifically, you have some decisions to make. Do you simply accept such friends as they are, adjust your plans to minimize the disappointment, or move toward choosing better friends?

Let your answer lead you away from loneliness and toward true connection. A good friend like you deserves that.