But loneliness is as delusive a belief in the pertinence of the world as is love: in choosing to feel lonely, as in choosing to love, one carves a space next to oneself to be filled by others - a friend, a lover, a toy poodle, a violinist on the radio.
Interpretation
Loneliness and love are both choices that affect our emotional landscape and invite connections with others.
In this quote, Yiyun Li highlights the duality of loneliness and love as emotional choices that shape our reality. Both states create a personal space that can be filled with meaningful connections, whether it is with a friend, a romantic partner, a pet, or even art, emphasizing that the act of reaching out to others is fundamental to overcoming isolation and enriching our lives.
In practice
In a discussion about mental health and the importance of social connections, this quote can emphasize the impact of loneliness.
He was one of those quite rare adults who communicate with small children fairly well and who love them all impartially--not in a sugary way but in a businesslike fashion that may sometimes entail a hug, in the same way that closing a big business deal may call for a handshake.
Sometimes I say to people, 'Do you think you're easy to live with?' People who are single. And the ones who say, 'Yeah, yeah, I'm pretty easy to live with; it's just a question of finding the right person,' massive alarm bell rings in my mind.
Each child’s story is worthy of telling. There shouldn’t be a sliding scale of death. The weight of it is crushing.
But Catherine did not know her own advantages - did not know that a good-looking girl, with an affectionate heart and a very ignorant mind, cannot fail of attracting a clever young man, unless circumstances are particularly untoward.
I've never had a dislike for men. I've been badly treated by some. But I've been loved greatly by some. I married a lot of them.
You may think it all very fine, Mr. Huntingdon, to amuse yourself with rousing my jealousy; but take care you don't rouse my hate instead. And when you have once extinguished my love, you will find it no easy matter to kindle it again.
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