The bushfires in Australia, Iran firing missiles and the impeachment trial of U.S. President Trump were a few headlines racing around the globe during the very first month of the year. News anchors, magazines and social media were flooded with the most up-to-date reports about these events. 2020 definitely had an eventful start. Then, what first appeared to be a local outbreak of an unknown virus somehwere in a distant land, turned into a world-changing, global pandemic - altering everyone’s life and defining new routines for all. In February, the WHO officially named COVID-19. A child that no one wants to play with, was born.
From then on, all our lives changed. Not gradually. Quickly life was altered and we became familiarized with counter-cultural terms such as social distancing and self-isolation. It’s a strange world we have been living in since. And maybe it’s a world that has become somewhat lonely. Many have experienced what it means to be stuck in a home for ten or more days. While they were self-isolating, they were contemplating about a great many things, evaluating personal matters and pondering the current state of the world… perhaps anyways. But maybe they simply realized that life without anyone else in it is very quiet, very lonely.
Humanity
“Our souls long for togetherness”
Our brains, as Brené Brown says, are hardwired for human connection. We desire to belong and we desire to be part of something that is greater than just ourselves. In these past months especially this has become apparent. Statistics show that since human interactions were so drastically limited, suicides, cases of domestic violence and child molestation have drastically increased. This shows two things: 1. individuals become increasingly unhealthy when they are alone and isolated. 2. It’s very difficult to reach out for help when no one is close by.
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”
Social interactions, friendships and meaningful relationships are not only safeguards against violence. They are also the soil for resilient individuals who can help one another in times of difficulty. Researchers have found that people with a healthy social network are less likely in need of counseling, psychotherapy or other mental support. Talking things over with a trusted friend can help regulate our emotions as we sort our thoughts. Sharing our problems with someone also offers us a different perspective on the same matter which can ultimately provide various solutions to solve a problem. In Scripture we find this principle to be true. Proverbs 15:22 talks about the wisdom which is found in the council of many.
Mother Teresa, in her quote, alludes to the fact that alone we can only do so much. But when two or more come together, united for a cause, the strength and wisdom are multiplied exponentially. It’s not surprising, then, that this is what God has designed us for. Togetherness. Life with one another. Life in friendship first and foremost with God and with others as well.
*Mother Teresa was born on August 26th 1910 and died on 05th of September 1997, only 5 days after Princess Diana died. But her death was overshadowed by the international grief of the loss of a loved Princess. Mother Teresa lived a life of humility and even her death happened in the shadows of someone else.