Greetings!
This episode was recorded just a few days before Christmas 2024, but most likely, you won't hear it until next year--2025!
Since it's the holiday season, my thoughts wander in the direction of kindness, yes kindness!
Most Americans suffer greatly from the lack of a strong, supportive community. A large percentage of Americans are taking antidepressants, anti-anxiety agents, and are reporting that they feel lonely and isolated. Some psychologists say that we're experiencing an "epidemic" of loneliness in the USA. This was true long before enforced lockdowns and fear mongering that took place in 2020 and that further isolated and marginalized some people.
With an increase in technology addiction and many Americans being unable to wean themselves off of their "smart" phones and off of social media, I fear that this loneliness epidemic will increase and spread.
However, one way we can feel less lonely, less depressed, to make a positive change in our environment, to hold onto our humanity, and to start thinking critically again is to connect with other people. Can we do it? I know I harp on this a lot, but it is very important. Many people hide behind an n95 mask, not because they're afraid of catching a nasty cold or flu but because they're afraid of the world! Yep, they're hiding their faces from the big, bad scary world--hiding their faces from you and me!
Connecting with other people, letting them see our kind and friendly faces, is one way to help break the spell, to free the mask addicts (and ourselves) from the oppression of social isolation.
Some other people claim to be "rugged individualists." They claim that being alone is freeing, empowering. But is it? Fact is, most people will conform under pressure when they feel outnumbered. It's easier to stand up for what we believe in when we know we have a team of people watching our backs. Ironically, it is easier to be a unique individual and feel self-confident when we have a support system and feel connected to others. Loneliness is a psychic killer. We want to hold onto our individuality but we also crave to belong.
If you're alone during the holidays or missing a loved one, take heart. You aren't the only one. Why not reach out to others who feel alone? Practice random acts of kindness?
We all influence each other, so your acts of kindness will spread. Wouldn't it be amazing if instead of a loneliness epidemic, we all created a kindness epidemic instead?
Just a thought...
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