The Loneliness Pandemic
This week I’m honored to share my Mom’s weekly message that she sends out to family and friends. At 80 years of age, she’s still offering inspiration through her words and music.
Thanks for being my Guest Contributor, Emily Kierstead, I think we’ve all experienced loneliness in the last few years and it’s a state we can stagnate in. The fact that you’ve been isolated in your apartment for long periods of time the last few years, while grieving the loss of two of your children, I know you’ve struggled but you amaze me with the ways you’ve kept your spirits up…Here’s to stars that decorate our dreams.
Jenny
Now for Mom’s wise words:
Mother Teresa once remarked that “Loneliness is the leprosy of the modern world.” During these Covid times, when people have been confined to their homes, as we have in our residence, some have experienced, you might say, a loneliness pandemic.
How the pandemic has affected mental illness and loneliness needs to be studied. We read that loneliness is increasing in our society, and is damaging to us both mentally and physically. Continued loneliness can shorten a person’s life; can increase the risk of heart disease, depression, dementia, etc. Often social media is the culprit, since it allows a window for people to see others doing enjoyable things. Sometimes that can cause us to feel badly about ourselves, and to feel a lack of relationships or fun activities.
Those who live alone have no one in whom to confide. They have no one to help them see the difference between “aloneness” and “loneliness.” Social isolation need not be a negative element; it can give us a time to think about who we are, what our passions are, how we can go about doing things we would like to. It can motivate us to seek out kindred spirits, to call a long time friend, or even to settle in with a good book that someone has recommended to us.
If you are feeling lonely
know that you’ll always have:
Books to nurture your mind
Hands to create and explore
Wind to calm your soul
Breaths to soothe your nerves
Nature to soak your worries away
Stars to decorate your dreams.
– Emma Ku
Blessed be,
Emily
8 Comments
Thank you for sharing Jenny. I enjoy reading your mom’s post and can relate too in many of her messages.
Thank you Faye, I’ll make sure Mom sees this!
As always, two beautiful women who I have the honor of knowing and respect have created a safe space filled with compassion for people to hear the about one of the major side effects of the pandemic. The fact is we can also be confined with a houseful of people (family) and still be lonely when we are cut off from the things that nourish us the most on an individual basis. Missing my gatherings with my beautiful like-hearted women friends. So I go out in nature and connect to Mother Earth. Love you both, thank you for being there for others, through your own healing journey. In Light and Love, Juli
Thanks Juli, well said.
Much love to you,
Jenny and Emily
I think your mother is right on target. Loneliness is likely causing more damage in people’s lives than the virus. This reminds me of Dr. Lissa Rankin’s work and research around loneliness being at the core of most mental and physical diseases. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2hLhWSlOl0&t=4s
Thanks for the link Wendy, this is so important as we continue to repair from this pandemic.
Jenny (and Emily)
So beautiful. What a wise woman. Thank you for sharing.
“Nature to soak your worries away”
Thank you for your wise words and this contemplation. The loneliness during the pandemic has long and far reaching effects and is not enough talked about. I admire your strength to walk gracefully through the grief and challenges. Namaste Ursula