What If We Let No One Suffer Alone...Ever?

What if we all decided to stop turning a blind eye to each others' suffering? What if we became just as concerned with the well-being of others as we are with our own? What if we started caring, not just for our friends and families, but for those who have no friends, or who have troubled, broken, or abusive families? What if we became their friends, even if it didn't fit into our original plans for the day? 


What if we spoke up when someone was being abused or mistreated? What if we spoke up, if we refused to turn a blind eye? What if we helped those who are vulnerable or damaged? What if we stood arm in arm as human beings to care for each other, to bear each other's burdens, and to help those who are lonely, discouraged, or weakened? What if we did what we could, and gave what we could, to help others feel safe and find healing? 

There are people around us everyday, who are suffering. Many of them are suffering very intensely, very silently, and very much on their own. Some are experiencing difficulties that test their ability to merely hang on, to make it through another day. And many do this with no end of suffering in sight. These dear, fellow members of the human race, sometimes suffer with things so private, so painful, so shameful, that they end up keeping it all to themselves. Not because they wouldn't want the moral support, but because they fear further ridicule or pain.

Sadly, most of us have a tendency to focus only on our own needs and wants. Perhaps if we weren't so busy with all the insignificant distractions around us (internet, social media, sports, Netflix, clubs, parties, etc.) we would more clearly see the multiple opportunities to make a difference in the lives of real human beings.

Try paying a little more attention to those around you, today. Sometimes helping a person make it through the day can be as simple as speaking a kind word to them, putting your arm around them, or listening to what they have to say. Look into their eyes, listen to the sound of their voice, see where they sit during lunch. As we do this together, we will learn about other people's challenges (depression, loneliness, anxiety, fear, pain, abuse, violence, trauma, grief/loss, addiction, relationship problems, etc.) and will see how they have been struggling, often very much on their own.

What if love became so much a part of who we are that we became divinely guided to those who need our help? What if we all fed the hungry, housed the homeless, and comforted the lonely? I think then....we would live in an amazing world, a world filled with hope, love, and joy. And we could all experience the joy together, arm in arm!