To make the world a lot less lonely.
March 7, 2021
“Those who are unhappy have no need for anything in the world, but people capable of giving them their attention.” Simone Weil
Some of us are living in a crisis of conscience. We are ashamed that we haven’t done more to alleviate the bigotry and injustice that has always been here.
We wonder what we can do to be part of the solution. Take a class, read a book, join a group, post on social media. We want to do something big because we need to feel better about ourselves after all the years we did nothing.
Here’s the thing.
What is needed isn’t big, dramatic, or even time-consuming.
Walk out of your home, head down the street, go into a store, go anywhere — and you will have more opportunities to address the problem than you can handle.
A homeless woman is sitting on the ground next to her cart.
A messy, dirty, cowering little girl is being yelled at by her mother in Walmart.
The mailman limps to your door every day wearing support hose because he’s in so much pain, but he needs the work.
A shy ten-year-old boy comes to your door with a small plastic shovel to earn money shoveling your driveway.
We spend so much time looking for what’s wrong with the world and so little time offering what the world wants.
We want attention, a smile, to be told we matter. That God or whatever organizing principle is running the show loves us. No matter what we’ve done, what we look like, how smart we are.
It takes so little effort to look someone in the eye and smile. But it’s not easy. It takes courage. What if they look away? What if they think we’re weird? What if they reject us, like they’ve been rejected over and over?
What if they smile back, or cry because you saw them, or get the strength to go on another day?
The mailman wants to chat, but we’re late for a meeting; we think it’s an interruption. But then we realize we just made his day and the meeting wasn’t nearly as important as we thought. That’s why we’re here.
The little girl looks shyly up at us while her mom is still yelling; we catch her eye and smile at her with all the warmth we can muster. Maybe she won’t feel so alone. That’s why we’re here.
The homeless woman hollers something unintelligible; we stop and say hi, and ask if she needs something. That might be the finest moment of our day, and her day, whether she needs something or not. That’s why we’re here.
The boy can’t possibly shovel our driveway with his small plastic shovel; we give him a metal shovel and go out and work with him. We become a teacher and a friend in the blink of an eye. That’s why we’re here.
I just remembered a time when my nine-year-old son went to a neighbor’s door and rang the bell, ready to give his spiel about selling Christmas wrapping. And she yelled at him to go away.
That was someone in need of loving attention.
When you look at the difficult people in your life, almost invariably, the ones who have trouble making and keeping friends, the ones you don’t want to be around either, need attention.
When we stop deciding who deserves love and start offering it without reservations, we become the solution.
We won’t solve the problems of the world. We will, though, enrich our lives beyond measure and warm the hearts and souls that are waiting for love, to be seen, to matter.
Much love,
I am often overwhelmed by the need of which I am aware. In my community, I help where I can and always smile at people because I know for some, it will be the only smile they get.
Worldwide, countries should assist, where possible, to build infrastructure for health care and community life. I’ve just written about this, it is so pertinent especially now with the pandemic leaving so many bereaved.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Chrissie. Pretty much it’s one smile at a time. Glad to see you’re out there working on expanding support for people in need.
For this reader this reads loud and clear to pay attention to fellow citizens in our location . My wife and I frequently walk our dogs around the neighborhood during this difficult time. What caught my attention was when neighbors ask where our other dog is ? It is a good opportunity to get out and see people we do not normally see .
What I find useful for me is to pay attention to my own situation at home with my wife and kids and make sure they know I am mindful of them and their needs . Not just material but specifically connection on a personal level .
Thank you for your message .
Hi Ed, you just nailed something that i’ve thought about a lot. We’re very careful to be kind to co-workers and acquaintances, but sometimes forget the people closest to us need our kindness just as much, if not more. They’re the ones who will sit with us when no one else can or will.
You shared about noticing others while out and about . Was out this weekend walking Murphy (son’s dog ) just enjoying the afternoon and was blessed with watching a gentleman get down on one knee and propose. Knew something was up when he got the box out of a pocket. They allowed me to take their picture. Have to confess I was pretty jazzed ! Never know what you will see if you look . ?
So a really cool gift for all of you – You got to participate in probably one of the most important moments in their lives and they got your full attention. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Robyn, wow, wonderful suggestions for healing broken hearts and broken lives. Examples of what I can do, no matter what my present condition is.
Thanks for commenting Dick. ❤️
I’m just reminding myself over and over because it’s so easy to forget!
I loved reading this. Makes so much sense. Need to keep this one and reread often!
Thanks Rose. I’m so with you! I write this stuff to remind myself!!
This was really helpful! It made me see from a different perspective. I will definitely keep reminding myself of this idea.
Wow! That’s great – I love that it made a difference !