In Honor (or Perhaps Not) of Valentine's Day -- 20 Things Better than Being Alone by Sandra Gurvis

What genius named Feb. 14 (or Feb. 13 or 15) Single Awareness Day (SAD)?  The subtext being that singles are indeed pitiful souls who can rise up and unite in their loneliness.  And that maybe, next year, they'll get lucky, find someone, and celebrate Valentine's Day like a "normal person."

Well, feh to that! And in honor of what seems like a unnecessary holiday -- and I'm heavily self-editing here --  I'd like to offer my list of 20 things that are better than being alone:

Being alone is BETTER than:

1. Having a fatal disease
2. Having a chronic disease
3. Losing a child through death
4. Living in a war zone
5. Losing a sibling, parent or other family member through death
6. Losing a good friend through death
7. Being unable to support yourself (or losing a job)
8. Having a job you hate
9. Living in a place you hate
10. Having no friends
11. Having your children or relatives dislike you or not want to spend time with you
12. Spending time with people you dislike because no one else is around
13. Being in a relationship because there’s no one else “better” (aka “settling”)
14. Being in a relationship where someone’s trying to change you
15. Being in a relationship with someone whom you hope to change, or you’re trying to change
16. Losing a close friend through a quarrel, misunderstanding, or foolish pride
17. Being in jail or otherwise involved in criminal activity
18. Being a drug addict or alcoholic
19. Being sexually promiscuous or otherwise unable to really care for a significant person
20. Wanting to have a pet and not being able to have one
21. Not following your “bliss” and ignoring your inner voice and instincts.

Oops, that’s 21 (Math never was my strong suit).  All I know is that looking over this list has made me feel a whole lot better about this holiday, whatever people choose to call it.  What's on your list?