The Power of Being Connected

A good friend is cheaper than therapy.  -Author Unknown 

Many of us can recall what life was like before we had computers.  If we wanted to correspond with someone we had to find paper, a pen, an envelope, the person’s address, a postage stamp, and then actually sit down and write the letter by hand.  Most of the people I know have computers, so we simply email one another, but I still miss those handwritten letters. 

Why would I bring this up?  The reason is that I have these fond memories of writing someone a letter, mailing it, and then picturing the person’s response when he or she read my letter.  Perhaps you would you agree that when we had to write letters by hand, we were more thoughtful, more careful with our words, and more likely to properly communicate our thoughts and feelings.  Firing off an email in a state of anger is an all too common occurrence.  Back in the day when we had to sit down and write that letter by hand, we were less likely to be guided by anger.

When I consider all those pleasant memories of writing letters to people and imagining their responses, I realize that what brought the positive feelings was the act of being connected with others.  Isolation is a self-imposed exile in which we cut ourselves off from interaction and contact with other people.  Unfortunately, when someone is battling depression, sorrow, or the blues, it’s easy to believe that avoiding people is the right course.  However, doing so will only cause increased feelings of hopelessness and despair.  No matter how badly you may feel staying connected to others in some positive way is always the right choice.  Consider these strategies for staying connected to other people: 

• Write a letter to an old friend.  This person may have started to believe that you had forgotten him or her.  Receiving a handwritten letter can be a wonderful way to reconnect.  Include some recent family photos so your old friend can see how you look these days.  Don’t worry about looking older, because your friend will have aged too!
  

• Pick up the phone and call someone you have not spoken to in a long time.  Who knows but this individual may be in desperate need of a kind, friendly, and caring voice.  You may be just the one to provide it.
  

• Take the initiative and invite a friend out for lunch or simply for coffee.  I run into fellow pastors around town and we often say that we need to get together sometime for lunch.  Typically, that get-together rarely transpires.  Someone has to take the initiative, make the call, and make it happen. 

• Resolve to be a more kind, caring, and compassionate person.  The best way to have friends is to be a friend. 

Don’t just sit there; someone is need of a friend today.  A new friendship is waiting to be formed.

 

It’s going to be a great day!