by Ann E. Smith

Created on: January 24, 2009   Last Updated: July 04, 2009

One is the loneliest number, or is it? While being single is at times dauntingly lonely, a person can be single and happy.

The key is for singles is to seek fulfilling ways to spend their time, as well as to build solid and close relationships with friends and family. This approach allows for connectedness in ways other than a marriage.

For a single person, there are certainly challenges to overcome. If you are on your own, you may find that isolating too much is your biggest block to achieving a sense of happiness and contentment.

At a certain point in adulthood, many people seek comfort and quiet time in the privacy of their own homes. While that is a natural thing to do, singles sometimes risk becoming too isolated if they opt to stay home often.

And as some singles feel defeated by the dating game or out of place because most of their friends are coupled, this risk of isolating themselves becomes higher.

So, for a single to avoid this pitfall, he or she needs to get out there. A. great place to network and mingle is through becoming involved in a church or taking on volunteer work.

Many churches offer special groups for singles, and these groups often focus on giving back to the community. As singles may not be tied up with rearing kids, then they have a unique opportunity to devote more time to wonderful mission efforts.

Singles can also join social groups of all kinds. There are running, hiking, travel and film groups, for example.

Another way for singles to avoid isolation is to join small groups through a church. These are social groups that typically gather at someone's home to share intimate conversation and provide support for one another.

And, any person, whether single or not, can have a more fulfilling life if they have a passion. For some, that passion could be playing a musical instrument.

For another, it could by sky diving. Having outside interests and passions takes people outside of themselves, which is key to overall contentment.

Finally, single people can find peace and happiness by giving of themselves to their friends, family and community. Singles need to make efforts to develop one or two close friendships so that they can benefit from the joy of a close relationship, even if it is not a romantic one.

In conclusion, happiness can be elusive for sure, but it is just as available for singles as for those who are not single. As any truly happy person can attest, they have chosen to find happiness from within. As a result, this happiness is largely independent of the actual circumstances of their lives.

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