"We enter the world alone, we leave the world alone"

From the very beginning of life to its inevitable end, the human experience is defined by moments of solitude that transcend our relationships and social bonds. Birth and death are deeply personal journeys: no matter the presence of loved ones, guides, or caretakers, the essential act of arriving in existence and of departing it is an individual passage that cannot be shared in its entirety. This notion underlines the fundamental solitude embedded in being human.

At birth, although surrounded by the care and anticipation of others, we emerge into the world as separate beings, independent in our consciousness, with no prior connection except the physical tie to our mother. The experiences we encounter in our first moments are uniquely ours, untouched and unfathomable to those around us. In a similar vein, death is a journey we undertake in solitude. Regardless of companionship, the crossing from life to whatever may follow is a private event; the emotions, thoughts, and sensations in those final moments are inaccessible to those who remain.

Through these bookends of existence, life is marked by the pursuit of connection, understanding, and belonging. Relationships and community become crucial, easing the weight of isolation. Yet, even the strongest bonds cannot erase the solitary nature of our entrance into and exit from the world. This recognition can inspire both humility and compassion—understanding that every individual is, at their core, alone in some fundamental ways, and that shared moments and empathy are both precious and fleeting.

Acknowledging this essential solitude can foster a deeper appreciation for the relationships we form, prompting us to be more present and caring toward others. It suggests that while loneliness is an inherent part of life, it is also the source of our longing for love, meaning, and companionship—a paradox that animates the richness and poignancy of the human condition.