Grounded vs Lonely

Is lonely the opposite of grounded? What makes a person lonely? Do they do it to themselves? Is it avoidable? Should you strive to feel grounded? Are they opposites or totally different matters? Without people in your life you feel lonely, but letting people in your life can cause more loneliness and sorrow than being solitary. If you let people in your life and into your heart, you run the risk of losing a part of yourself if they leave or move on. I guess that isn't true for everyone - some people can do the acquaintance thing, which I assume allows you to have more people in your life (or at least listed in your phone) without any risk involved. I am not the acquaintance type, I am the go big or go home type. I learned that from a good friend when I was about 13 years old. (She taught me that important lesson and also to never give guys that hit on you your real name, create a fake name). Sorry, I am rambling. I tend to give it my all once I figure out if you are someone I want in my life, that involves giving a piece of my heart to them. Once that is done, it can't be undone. There is no taking it back, even if the person didn't want it in the first place or wants to return it. I don't think that you run out of heart to give, but you do run out of willingness to give so easily. You learn, with time, that you have to save some of yourself for you. You also learn that it is okay to allow people to help you and to need people. (I am still struggling with that one.) I feel lonely sometimes because I choose to isolate myself if the goings get too rough or I am hurting. I am not sure how this grounded thing works, what it means, and if it is even something I want. I think that if it means I have to learn to love differently, in some way that allows a shield and an escape route, I am not interested in ever being grounded. I will take the lonely days when they come and continue to live with the risk of being hurt and the knowledge that there are people out there that have a piece of my heart and they don't care or even remember they have it. You take the good from everything that happens in your life, you learn from all the bad that happens, and you keep the memories, friends and experiences that have made you into the person you are today. It is never too late to say you are sorry, to turn around, or say I love you. It is never okay to take people and their hearts for granted. Love life, love yourself, and allow others to love you, the real you. Put it out there, take some risks, "dance like no one is watching".