Never Alone
Man’s loneliness is but his fear of life. ~ Eugene O’ Neil
Not too long ago, I read an article written by a man that expressed how he viewed the interactions of people. At the end, he concluded that every person cares only for himself or herself. The writer went on to say that no one really cares about anyone else except for a choice few who are directly related to the person such as a mother, father, or a spouse. I thought about that article for a long time. As I pondered, I realized both truths and limitations in it.
Joseph Fort Newton states, “People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.†The fear of not being enough, the fear of doubting ones own substantial existence on this earth, the fear of feeling that the universe itself is not safe and we must guard and protect ourselves from those who would take from us, or from those who want to hurt us - are all reasons why we build walls around ourselves.
We fear the interactions of others due to our own feelings of inadequacy in intellectual discourse, in personal confidence and strength, or in our appearance. As we look closer at these fears, it is realized that the root of all these is simply fear of rejection. Human beings fear rejection above all. It is at the root of so many dilemmas that we deal with both as individuals and as nations.
Yet, as I think of people who reach outside of themselves, I realize that this cynical viewpoint is certainly only one view point- real to many, but not to all.
I’ve written in previous articles on this blog that Fraule, the elderly lady that used to visit us in the orphanage, reached out to my brother and I. The young couple who lived upstairs and who took the place of Fraule once she passed away also reached out to us. Simone, the young social worker who embraced us with such warmth and sincerity, reached out to us children in the orphanage as well. The many wonderful people who gave to a woman who deceived many into believing that she had cancer for two years and was on her “death-bed” for the past six-months - they all reached out to her.
These are all people who gave to someone outside of their own circle. They allowed themselves to build bridges in order to touch another life. The effects are far reaching! Each of us can think of people who will, time and again, display their own convictions that in this world, it is a risk to reach out in love, but it is a risk worth taking.
I can’t help but think of the men and women who are willing to give their very lives to protect and save other human lives - even though the reward is often small or ignored. I can’t help but think when catastrophe takes place, men and women who normally live quiet and unassuming lives step forth and take an active role to give and heal in whatever way they can. I can’t help but notice that most people have a good heart and are willing to give when there is a call to do so.
I am a dreamer! I dream and wish for a day when all men and women lay aside their own own fears. I dream and wish that they would find new freedom of expression and joy. I dream and wish that the fear of rejection will be exposed once and for all, and people everywhere will realize that “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.”(FDR) For how, I ask, can the One who is Whole reject one who is already accepted and created whole? I dream and wish for greater awareness that the presence of each one individual is part of the synchronicity of this universe, and they were meant to be an important part of our universe. I dream and wish that there will be no more loneliness in the hearts of men because love has dispelled this falsity.
I dream and wish for a day that more God Awareness leads to more Self Awareness. Then, the door will open to expand and do what seemed to be unattainable before. This potential lies in our path if only we would dare to lay aside fear and doubt and take hold of divine love - the love that makes all things possible. This love is able to tear the veil of a limited and confined way of thinking, and into the realm of endless creativity, ingenuity, and sacrifice for one another.
All loneliness is dispelled when there is a reason to be. The reasons, my friends, are too numerous to count.
Oh God, “I believe, help thou my unbelief.”
