We are closed off. We don’t share with each other. We go to church. We send our kids to school. We go to work. We live like everything is fine. Instagram and Facebook make it worse. We seek validation. We want to feel good and be connected yet we hide. We are insecure. We try to tell ourselves that everything is fine, while inside of us the questions and uncertainty while making the journey stays hidden. We allow emotions to guide us and that is a very dangerous way to live.
When will we be done with this?
Things like suicide, depression, divorce, and addiction will continue to plague us until we decide we’re done living like this. Until we decide to be courageous enough to really live our lives for others.
“Life” is struggle. That's what makes it fun and engaging. If you want to live, and do it well, learn to love the game of life; aka the struggle.
We all struggle. But because of how closed off we are, we don’t share this struggle. So, when others are struggling they feel like they have to go it alone. And that’s the tragedy. They’re not alone, but they think they are. Who’s responsible? All of us.
How can we make things better?
We don’t need to volunteer somewhere or stand on a street corner with a sign. We don’t need to drastically change anything. We just need to live our lives thinking about others instead of ourselves. We need to engage with people and friends and family. Do they know we care about them? Do they know we love them?
To live your life outward – to serve – shows the ultimate faith and courage. Because in that moment of really being present and engaging and helping, you are affirming that you’re OK. You are leaving yourself behind, and moving outward, to help another person.
If we all get in the habit of living life outward and for others, it’s a fire that will start small in your home or work or peer group, and it will grow. But it has to start somewhere. And it might as well start with us.
Tell someone you’re sorry. Tell someone you love them. Connect with someone. Write someone a letter. Call them. Smile at them in passing. Chances are they have struggles that you don’t know about. Decide you won’t let them be alone anymore.
When will we be done with this?
Things like suicide, depression, divorce, and addiction will continue to plague us until we decide we’re done living like this. Until we decide to be courageous enough to really live our lives for others.
“Life” is struggle. That's what makes it fun and engaging. If you want to live, and do it well, learn to love the game of life; aka the struggle.
We all struggle. But because of how closed off we are, we don’t share this struggle. So, when others are struggling they feel like they have to go it alone. And that’s the tragedy. They’re not alone, but they think they are. Who’s responsible? All of us.
How can we make things better?
We don’t need to volunteer somewhere or stand on a street corner with a sign. We don’t need to drastically change anything. We just need to live our lives thinking about others instead of ourselves. We need to engage with people and friends and family. Do they know we care about them? Do they know we love them?
To live your life outward – to serve – shows the ultimate faith and courage. Because in that moment of really being present and engaging and helping, you are affirming that you’re OK. You are leaving yourself behind, and moving outward, to help another person.
If we all get in the habit of living life outward and for others, it’s a fire that will start small in your home or work or peer group, and it will grow. But it has to start somewhere. And it might as well start with us.
Tell someone you’re sorry. Tell someone you love them. Connect with someone. Write someone a letter. Call them. Smile at them in passing. Chances are they have struggles that you don’t know about. Decide you won’t let them be alone anymore.