Feeling sorrow, anguish, despair, melancholy, and other similar sentiments is a part of being human. For some of us, this may be something temporal. As for others of us, this might be a lifelong battle we have to face.
There are many reasons why we may feel the way we do: war, poverty, natural disasters, family conflicts, depression, and more. We may even reach a point of despair when we lack to find an adequate remedy to our sorrow.
Emma Lou Thanye poignantly expresses the depth of these sentiments in the hymnal "Where Can I Turn For Peace".
This hymns pleas for petitions we too seek: peace, solace, a quiet hand, and someone who understands. In contemplating these petitions, they are not all easy to fulfill. It is difficult to promise someone peace, solace, and a quiet hand. But there is one petition that can be met. Someone does understand.
As the discussion of mental health becomes more prominent, it provides a safe environment which allows for open expression. This leads us to find that we are not alone in our grappling to overcome a wounded heart, anguish, emptiness, and feelings so profound that words do not adequately describe them. In this act of sharing, we find comfort in knowing that we are not alone. Someone understands how you feel because we understand how one another feels.
It's true that not everyone knows exactly what we each go through as individuals. But if we were all to make the effort to look around and realize that we are all hurting, then maybe a world with softening hearts could become a reality. This reality could be the start of a brighter future.
Yet, this is easier said than done. We sometimes don't realize someone is hurting until it is too late. Or sometimes we don't even realize it at all. Nevertheless, there are somethings we can do to better connect with those around us.
1. Serving
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When we offer service to others, it not only allows us to see that we all have things we are going through, but we all too can be of help in lightening each other's burdens.
2. Learning
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Learning about each other can help us to see things from the other person's perspective. By doing this, we realize everyone has a story.
3. Sharing
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In sharing openly about how we feel and what we have gone through, we can allow for others to also open up. In this way, we support the fact that we are not alone.
There are ups and downs in life, but the good news is that we don't have to go through them alone. There are people around us who understand what we are going through. It is in this unity that we find a portion of peace.
