To the Lonely- Hearted: Stop Crying, Start Loving, and Connect the Dots

Dear "It" Girl,

Unfortunately, there are too many intelligent, beautiful, and accomplished women who seemingly have it all, but cry themselves to sleep on a nightly basis because of loneliness and relationship-related pain. Today's' women cry over the guys who never call. And the guys that always do. The guys who don't want to hook up with them; the guys who only want to hook up with them. The guys of great value and the guys who never recognize a woman's value. Women who are doing everything else right are stunned as to why they can't find someone with whom they can really connect. They are going to the right bars, wearing the right clothes, sending out the right messages on multiple online dating sites, and contacting us professionals at Master Matchmakers. They can't see the love in their lives-until they find their One(s).

Ah, the love connection-something we as a society haven't mastered. Despite the age in which it is easier than ever to get and stay in touch with someone, we cannot connect! If you think about it, we are all pretty damn lonely.

Mother Theresa got it right: "The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted, uncared for, and deserted by everyone." Indeed, there is a difference between being alone and feeling alone-as if the entire world's burdens rest solely on your shoulders.

Do you know what being unloved can lead to? How about, everything from eating disorders and alcoholism (to escape the pain), to suicide attempts (to cry for help), to unthinkable acts like Columbine and 911 (which are extremely devastating examples of severe deficits of love)?

Someone better contact Kevin Trudeau, because loving and getting love in return may be one of the most natural cures "they" are hiding from us!

"It" Girl, I urge you to start loving people all around you today to make our world a better place. You don't have to save all of your love for your dream guy. There is enough to go around for your friends, family, and the old man you opened the door for at Stop & Shop. If you make a habit of practicing random acts of kindness, you will feel a lot less lonely. Can you guess who you will love more? Yup, YOU!

Love, Rachel Russo, MS, MFT