Today I've learned a lot about being friendly. I have been praying for help to be more kind and understanding to people. The prayers have been answered (as per usual). The friendliness bug has been creeping back into my life; I hope for good! It's like I've been blessed with a greater capacity to love. I feel so much lighter! I love love :-)
I also learned some things on Facebook (I know, ironic). One friend shared a video from Oprah about saying hello.
Here is a synopsis of what this taught me:
- We don't have as many close friends as we used to (I can attest to that)
- We don't spend as much quality time with those close friends as we used to (mmhmm)
- We try to avoid interacting with strangers at all costs
- Experts estimate that at least one in five people suffers from loneliness
- These people are more likely to suffer from memory loss, dimentia, physical pain, ramifications of stress, heart disease, and premature death!
This breaks my heart! Especially because I know what loneliness feels like and it's not fun, it's even quite painful. The message of the video is that you never know what kind of difference a small act of kindness can make. A simple hello to a friend or stranger could be a necessary spark in their life. Or yours!
Apparently the last Friday of every month is International STAND UP to Bullying Day, declared by a worldwide campaign against bullying (googled it). A Mormon Message was posted about bullying. It's about 10 minutes long, but very poignant and powerful. It really made me think about how REAL this is. And how many of us have the opportunity to change and take a stand. I want everyone to watch it. I'm not sure how to make that happen, though.
Here is my challenge to myself and to you. It's a new month and I love monthly goals. Say hello to a stranger or someone you haven't talked to in a while - every day this month. Who knows what might happen!
Oh, and Hunter Hayes has a new song called "Invisible" (to hear push play above - way above - very top of page). I connected with this song the first time I heard it. Of course it played on the radio while I was driving home today. Of course it has played several times at the right moment, letting me know the words are true.
Oh, and I went to the temple today to help some strangers and they didn't feel like strangers when I left. They felt like family. We're all family, aren't we? We are all equally awesome in diverse ways. We should have each others' backs.
I am very grateful to Heavenly Father for the way He teaches me things. He puts several things in my path at once that relate to the same lesson, making it super easy for me to pick up on. It's very effective. ;)
Let me know if you're in for the challenge, and please let me know one way or another your thoughts on this subject! It needs to be shared! My institute teacher this week almost didn't come to class because one of her high school students committed suicide that day. This is real! We need to do all we can to save lives! We need to be here for each other no matter what!!!
Ok, done purging. For now.
Great thoughts Brittney!
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