On a date with...myself!

Today I went on a date....with myself. If you haven't done this you should! It is not the first time and I am sure it will not be the last time I take myself on a date. I went to the movies and got myself a latte at the local coffee shop. I know you might be thinking things like:
"How embarrassing" "How sad she doesn't have someone else to take her on a date" "Doesn't she have any friends"

But...I think dates with myself are great. I actually enjoy them. Going to the movies by myself is really nice because I can watch an emotional movie and not worry about if the person next to me is as touched by things in the movie as I am. It doesn't really matter if I start to cry a little because no one is there to laugh or poke fun at me. Of course, funny movies are always better with another person to laugh at with you...but I don't go to those by myself.

Getting a latte by myself and sitting in a booth is also nice. I am not embarrassed to say I love people watching...and I do it well. Sitting down by myself and watching other people go about their day is incredibly inspiring and touching and happy. Every person that walks by has a story...they have faults, they have hopes, they have dreams and issues and loves and hurts. I people watch because it keeps me in check, it makes me realize I am just a small part in this big world. I people watch because it also makes me feel a connection...when I silently watch the world going on around me it makes me realize that even though I might be alone on this date with myself I am never lonely.

When I go on dates with myself, or take a walk by myself, or ride an airplane by myself, or do anything without another person I take comfort in looking around and seeing that everyone else is just trying to make it through the day too. If I am lucky I get to not only observe people, I get to talk to them. I love getting a strangers story...there is always things to be learned by a complete stranger whether it be their spoken words or just their body language. Dates with myself are never lonely because I am never really alone on them...I have complete strangers and their many lessons all around me and that is comforting.