Borrow a Dog, Call a Friend

 "Chloe, you look like you just found out the church potluck is entirely out of scalloped potatoes. What is going on with you?" Becca asked, taking a sip of her latte and setting the mug down on the wobbly cafe table.

"I do not know, Becca," Chloe sighed, resting her chin in her hands. "I have my online business, I have my family, I am sitting in a coffee shop packed with people, and yet I feel completely isolated. Is it possible to feel lonely when you are surrounded by this many hipsters?"

"Oh, absolutely," Becca said, dabbing her mouth with a napkin. "Loneliness is not about how many warm bodies are breathing your air. It is about feeling like you do not have a meaningful connection. Honestly, it is a fallen world, and sometimes we just feel disconnected. Some people feel it more easily than others, but everyone experiences it. So rest assured, you are not alone in feeling this way."

"It just feels like I am the only one," Chloe mumbled.

"Well, you are not," Becca replied. "Loneliness is a shared human experience. Did you know some studies show that over sixty percent of adults report feeling lonely? That is over four and a half billion people, Chloe. More than half the people in this room, including the barista who spelled my name with three c's, are probably feeling exactly like you are right now."

Chloe looked around at the people typing furiously on their laptops. "So you are saying God created nearly eight billion people on earth, and half of us are sitting around wondering why nobody is texting us?"

"Exactly," Becca laughed. "We are all waiting for a burning bush, or at least a notification ping. But God gave us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, not a spirit of waiting around to be invited. First off, take mental stock of the connections you already have. You might not have access to your normal social circle today, but there is a whole list of people you could talk to if you really wanted it. Just reach out to a few of them. Remind yourself you have options."

"I guess so," Chloe said. "But working for myself from home gives me too much time to overthink things."

"Most people complain they do not have enough time," Becca pointed out. "Now you have that free time others crave. How are you going to use it? Sitting around and contemplating your loneliness is not a fruit of the Spirit. Work on a hobby. Put on a funny movie. Dig up some positive memories and dwell on those."

"Like what?"

"Like your favorite vacation," Becca suggested. "Or the best date you ever had. Think about your kids walking for the first time, or your high school friends, or even your first kiss, assuming it was not with that boy from youth group who always smelled like onions. Think about your best day at the beach. Philippians tells us to think about whatever is pure and lovely."

"That is a good point," Chloe smiled.

"But let me tell you a secret I have learned the hard way," Becca leaned in close. "My absolute unhappiest moments are when my thoughts are fixed entirely on myself. It is a trap of the enemy. The absolute best thing I have discovered is to focus my thoughts on other people and their needs."

"So, volunteer?" Chloe asked.

"Yes! Volunteer. Take your attention off yourself and put it on someone else. It is a huge relief to stop worrying about Chloe for a second and start worrying about someone in need. You might even meet a new friend in the process. And if people are too complicated right now, talk to your pet. They are great for preventing loneliness."

"I do not have a pet, Becca."

"Then get one, or better yet, borrow one," Becca clapped her hands. "Ask your neighbor if you can play fetch with his dog or take it for a walk. Trust me, you will not be denied. Every dog in the world wants to go for a walk, and nearly every dog owner is a sinner who would rather stay on the couch. God made dogs specifically to keep us moving out of our own heads."

Chloe let out a genuine laugh. "Okay, borrow a dog. What else?"

"Call someone," Becca said, pointing at Chloe's smartphone resting on the table. "Pick up the phone."

"You want me to text them?"

"No, I want you to call them. With your voice. I know it is a terrifying concept. You can use it for things other than checking the weather and surfing the internet. Call someone and have a real conversation. Hear their voice. Be sociable. The world is full of people. Look out your window. Ask someone to meet you for coffee. Say hello to a stranger. Throw a party. Invite people over to play cards. Sit in a cafe and actually chat with others.""I usually lose at cards," Chloe pointed out.

"Then play something else. The point is, there are still a lot of lonely people in the world. Do not despair. You can turn this situation around if you are willing to do a little work. Making a meaningful connection is not that difficult when you realize how many people need it. Other people are craving meaningful connections too. If you reach out, you are acting as the hands and feet of Jesus to them. They will be so glad you did."

"You are right, Becca. Thank you. I think I am going to call my sister right now."

"Praise the Lord," Becca grinned. "But before you do, you are paying for these lattes, right? Consider it your first act of charity for the day."

Please share your thoughts and any response you may have in the form below.

Return to SeniorHealthyLifestyles.com

Bible Study Guides

It Is Written

Amazing Facts

Authentic

Nursing Home
Abuse & Neglect  https://olsonlawfirm.com/nursing-home-abuse-neglect/