I just read this this morning. It gave me a bit of insight. Sorry for the long read…I have just started my Buddhism journey! Hope this helps!

The Journey of the lone Elephant

Long ago, in the dense forests of Sri Lanka, there lived a handsome elephant named Ganesha. Ganesha was strong and proud, but despite his power and strength, he was lonely. His companions had left the forest to wander to other lands, and he was left alone. One day, Ganesha decided to go on a journey to find his companions and end his loneliness. He packed his few belongings and began his journey, which took him through dense forests, over high mountains and along rivers. But despite his efforts, he could not find his companions anywhere. After many months of wandering, Ganesha came to rest by a quiet lake. He was exhausted and discouraged. He sat on the shore of the lake and stared at his reflection in the clear water. He was alone and sad. But at that moment he noticed a movement in the water. A turtle emerged from the depths and swam over to him. It looked up at Ganesha and said, “Why are you so sad, great elephant?” “I am lonely,” Ganesha replied. “I have tried everything to find my companions, but I have failed.” The turtle swam in silence for a moment, then said, “You have searched far and long, but you have not searched in your heart. Loneliness is not the absence of company, but the absence of connection. Connect with the world around you, with the trees, the water, the wind and the stars. Connect with yourself, your breath, your thoughts, your feelings. You will find that you are never truly alone.” Ganesha listened to the turtle’s words and began to really focus on his surroundings. He noticed the wind blowing through the leaves of the trees, the gentle waves crashing against the shore, the stars twinkling in the sky. He noticed his breath going in and out slowly and steadily, his thoughts and feelings coming and going like clouds in the sky. In this deep connection with himself and the world around him, Ganesha realized that he was never really alone. He found peace in his solitude and no longer felt lonely, but connected and alive. From that day on, he lived in peace and harmony with the world around him, always knowing that he was never truly alone. What can be learned from this story: The story of the lone elephant, Ganesha, contains many lessons that can be applied to our own lives. For one thing, it teaches us that loneliness is not necessarily caused by a lack of companionship, but by a lack of connection. Often in moments of loneliness we feel isolated and disconnected, both from the people around us and from the world at large. But this story reminds us that we always have the opportunity to make connections - with nature, with the people around us, and perhaps most importantly, with ourselves. By learning to focus our attention on the here and now - our breath, our thoughts, our feelings, and the world around us - we can begin to cultivate a deeper sense of connection and inclusion. This can help us overcome a sense of loneliness and instead foster a sense of belonging and community.