The World of Loneliness
 | Author:
Ellie West, Certified NLP Coach/Practitioner Of Hypnosis and Timeline Therapy
Inside Inspiration: Certified NLP Coach/Practitioner Of Hypnosis and Timeline Therapy |
Columnist E. J. Dionne Jr. recalls a conversation Marc Dunkelman had with his grandfather, a retired salesman, about how people discover good restaurants using an app. They talked about how to find good restaurants in an unfamiliar city. Marc was excited about the new app that would make it easier for people to find the best restaurants in a strange town. His grandfather wasn’t impressed. On his sales trips, he said, he regularly sought out “a friendly-looking stranger” to learn where he might find a decent bite to eat. He would often make a new friend and see him again on a return visit. “That’s how I got to understand the world -- by talking to strangers,” the older man said. “With all these fancy technologies you’re telling me about, how are people going to get to know one another? You ask me, “I think it will make everyone lonely.”
As I read this story, I couldn’t agree more. This older gentleman was wise. We have become so accustomed to our electronic devices and apps that something designed to connect us has actually begun isolating us. Has this caused us to be a lonely nation?
Loneliness is a sad emotion that can result when people feel they are isolated or feel a lack of friends and family members. We had a rough couple of years, and I believe it created even more loneliness amongst our great nation and worldwide. Our gadgets, so to speak, have taken over our human connection.
I recently did a mini-vacation of four days. On my flight, I heard no talking except an occasional sentence from a child, as everyone was either engaged on their phone or watching a movie. It is nice to have a quiet flight, but it made me stop and ponder the loss of human connections and conversations and use that time to engage. When I am at the boarding door greeting passengers and welcoming them on board, I am somewhat surprised when I observe both the parents and the children have their devices, which get turned on as soon as they board. Is this promoting isolation and loneliness?
Have we lost human interaction, which creates a sense of loneliness?
The next time you are on a flight, at an event, at a reunion, or meet someone at the gas station, you will be amazed at how a simple “Hi” will be received…people are craving human connections. It is so amazing what you can learn about someone, who they are, where they come from, and what they do when you take a moment to engage and have a conversation. People need people. You can change someone’s day by offering a compliment, smile, or a simple “Hi!”
I have been in many situations at work, events, and even with family where I have felt lonely, and I am sure many of you have felt the same. It is a reality for many, and unfortunately, you go through life feeling as though no one cares or takes the time to get to know you. Often your family, community, acquaintances, or even circle of friends cannot recognize the beautiful person you are.
If you are reading this and feel lonely, be encouraged today that you are worthy, valued, and loved by someone greater than you. You possess a unique reflection of God’s presence.
“It’s easy to stand in the crowd, but it takes courage to stand alone.” -said Gandhi.
To connect with Ellie, FB @coachelliewest https://www.coachinghearttoheart.com
