Written by Dr. Dain Heer, Speaker and Author
Dr. Dain Heer is an avid explorer of possibilities and an internationally recognized author and speaker. As the founder of the annual International Being You Day and Co-creator of Access Consciousness—one of the largest personal development movements practiced in 176 countries—Dain serves as a catalyst for empowering individuals to realize they can change anything in their lives. For over 30 years, he has encouraged people to view their differences as strengths, amplify their uniqueness, and fully embrace their greatness!
As the holiday season draws near, I find myself preparing for a journey to Idaho to see my mother for Christmas. Imagine a charming little house in a small town, where the years have slipped by, and I haven’t visited in what feels like eternity.
Now, booking my ticket felt like the opening scene of one of those Hallmark Christmas movies! You know the ones—the high-powered, recently dumped female executive from the city, discovering the true meaning of love and spirit in a quaint town, aided by a ruggedly handsome local. In this narrative, however, I’d be the successful, still-single man unexpectedly returning to family traditions. Perhaps I’d encounter a kind-hearted woman selling Christmas trees, radiating a sense of peace and joy that eludes even the best of us on our journeys through consciousness.
After countless misadventures, we would unveil the profound beauty of friendship and family. By next year, our lives would intertwine in the Hallmark Christmas we’ve both yearned for—and, of course, deserve...
But let me ask you—how many buttons did I just push with that introduction?
This classic holiday narrative, which we've been sold as the ultimate dream and reinforced with hundreds of variations every year, invites us to question: Whose dream is this, really?
At this point in my life, I’ve realized that my journey doesn’t adhere to any predefined plot. I’ve chosen a path that diverges from traditional storylines. Even my mom understands this now—though it took her some time to come around.
Yet, I can still feel the lingering energies of those fairytales swirling around in the ether of reality. We’ve all been conditioned to either strive to embody or resist these narratives, which, by the way, are just two sides of the same coin!
What I’ve come to recognize is that these stories often nurture feelings of loneliness, especially during the holidays. We tend to feel disconnected when we can’t conform to (or fulfill) the external expectations of holiday joy.
I initially planned to embrace a beautiful solitude in my own space this Christmas. Yet, as I prepare to return to my mom’s, I sense the projections of the loneliness that others think I should be experiencing creeping in.
This invites us to explore the intricate distinction between being alone and feeling lonely.
Consider these questions: Have you ever felt isolated in a lively gathering? Do you sometimes feel that no one truly understands you? Or have you craved solitude amidst the joyfullest of buzz? Might they even all be intertwined?
The words we use to describe these feelings are often misunderstood and misapplied. “Loneliness” embodies the anguish that arises from perceived isolation, while “solitude” represents the strength and grace of being alone without distractions.
Loneliness arises from the chasm between our expectations (shaped by those stories) and our genuine connections. Sometimes, we surround ourselves with people merely to prove we are not alone—thus equating being alone with feeling lonely. We may seek fulfillment from others for needs we aren’t meeting within ourselves.
What if loneliness is not about the number of relationships or how well they fit with the current storyline but more about their level of intimacy?
As a speaker and facilitator of consciousness, I often find myself attempting to fulfill others’ needs—something many of us do. We’re so keenly aware of these perceived needs, whether spoken or unspoken, real or imagined. And I sometimes feel lonely—being the source of fulfillment for so many needs, none of which includes me. So solitude signifies the space where I’m not required to fulfill anyone else’s needs.
So, what is the opposite of loneliness? I’d say it is connection—connection with yourself, with those around you, and with the world itself.
Loneliness could be defined as a feeling of disconnection, which clarifies why we can feel lonely in crowds, alone in our own company, or lost in the vastness of existence. We frequently lose sight of our connection to ourselves, to each other, and to the bigger picture.
So how do we reconnect? Let’s first distinguish between loneliness and aloneness.
Being alone is measurable—you can physically isolate yourself, creating solitude. Loneliness, however, reflects a longing for deeper connections, regardless of your surroundings.
Herein lies the dilemma: we’ve learned to misinterpret solitude, equating it with loneliness. Yet being alone can be a powerful, enriching experience that nourishes our soul.
As I board that plane to Idaho, I choose to release the solidity of all those holiday stories and ask myself: What else is possible, and what are the infinite possibilities for me, my mother, and our connection during these days?
I realize the kind of connection I seek starts with gratitude, honor, vulnerability, trust, and allowance—what we often refer to as the five elements of intimacy in Access Consciousness.
So, for me, connection is a sense of intimacy. With my mom and this trip, the starting point of those elements could be described like this:
Gratitude for my mother, for everything she is and is not, for being loved, and for loving her.
Honoring what we two are for each other, even if it does not fit with the stories others have created about us.
Allowance for everything we require from each other, even when it doesn’t align with what we are able to offer.
Vulnerability with everything that comes up, welcoming who we are, warts and all.
Trust that the universe has our back and will guide us exactly where we need to go right now!
I don’t know how this Christmas will unfold—there is no pre-approved plot anymore. What I do know is that embracing these five elements can create something far beyond any Hallmark moment we’ve been conditioned to aspire to!
What if we can all transcend the conventional stories of Christmas and our lives?
What if now is the time to melt into the wild, vibrant, unique story of our lives—one where we embrace the joy of being authentically us, with and without people?
Read more from Dr. Dain Heer
Dr. Dain Heer, Speaker and Author
Having grown up in a challenging environment in Los Angeles, Dain faced constant adversity but chose resilience over victimhood. His determination to create positive change has fueled every aspect of his work, from facilitating global classes to authoring books and developing business ventures embodying benevolent capitalism principles.
Dain draws from his personal experience to inspire individuals from all walks of life to create the money, happiness, and life they truly desire. In his talks and workshops, he offers a set of tools and step-by-step energetic processes that help people break free from limiting conclusions and judgments, guiding them toward a place of choice and transformative change.
As a conscious and innovative business leader, Dain’s passion for possibilities and creating a better planet fuels all of his projects, including Castello di Casalborgone, a luxurious castle in Italy restored to its former glory; a thriving ranch in Houston; and EL Lugar, a fully sustainable eco-retreat in Costa Rica, designed in harmony with the earth.
