@Dan 'Remmy' Stourac Thank you for sharing. That does my heart good.

@Dan 'Remmy' Stourac I don’t spend much time thinking about my younger self. And the older I get the less I think about myself. This life is not about me it is about my service and worship of my creator. I tend to focus on who I am right now... with gratitude, humility, and a sober awareness that life changes quickly because I live inside time and space. Carpe momenta. Seize the moment, not the memory of who I used to be or who I might become someday. When I was younger I was way to focused upon myself. Today I have to acknowledge challenges I had when I was younger and how I navigated them both good and bad. As I got older pride became a problem. Now I am hopeful I can develop humility, meekness. As well as patience with my current self and others God is fixed. I am not. I am always changing... being refined, stretched, challenged, and formed by the hand of my creator. It is his grace in my life and I do not like the moments I take the credit. It is his and his alone. I am nothing without him. So I’m learning to anchor my attention on Him, not on me. That is my True North.

@Dr. Melissa Partaka When you said I feel very seen, I have felt the same way in many of the different dialouges I have had with you. It is truly an honor to have your friendship.

@Dan 'Remmy' Stourac Thank you! It was not me it was just listening with my heart and seeking the Holy Spirit to guide me. I am just the conduit.

@Cassidy White That’s a deep and heartfelt question thank you for asking. Loneliness is something every human feels at some point, especially in seasons of transition. The true north truth about loneliness is this: it is not solved by simply filling the silence with people, but by first grounding yourself in who you are and why you’re there. If you know your identity, worth and your purpose, you won’t compromise your standards for the sake of quick connections. When building community in a new place, start by showing up consistently in spaces that align with values of depth. Faith communities, interest groups, service opportunities, or professional circles. Depth grows from shared values and purpose. Be patient; real friendships take time, but they will come if you invest with intention. As for grieving imperfect goodbyes, recognize that loneliness before leaving is part of the process it means you care deeply. I have often found that most people don’t have the depth in life that I do. I am blessed to be married to a wife for 31 years that has more depth than I could ever imagine having. Don’t force others to give you what they can’t; release them with gratitude for what they’ve given you so far, even if it doesn’t look like the goodbye you wanted. Also understand that, even though there’s a disconnect now, it is important to maintain those friendships. Sometimes people just do not know how to maintain friendship and relationships. But there’s nothing like old lifelong friendships the older you get the more they mean. Do not break the friendship out of your own pain. Carry forward the love you’ve known, but open your heart to the love you haven’t discovered yet. True north: loneliness isn’t just an emptiness to escape; it’s an invitation to deeper self-knowledge, stronger faith, and a more intentional connection with the right people. It can be a gift that teaches you to choose friendships out of wholeness, not out of urgency.