My heart is breaking at the recent & sudden loss of a dear friend. So as I weep, I write.
No one has to have it all together, no one has to be perfect. Yet even as I write this, why don’t I still believe it 100%? Because everywhere I look, the message around me tells me otherwise.
I can’t help but feel if we worked as hard to relate to people, rather than impressing them, we would impact those around us on a whole new level.
We should remind the world that its okay to fail, to fall flat on our faces, to be so incredibly lost, so incredibly lonely.
The key is our relationships. Who do we surround ourselves with? Who can we count on? We should be able to depend on those around us to pick us up when we hit rock bottom. To help dust us off, and walk with us until we are strong enough to be on our own again, and face another day.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta wrote on Oprah’s website, “If our relationships can have such an effect on our overall health, why don’t we prioritize spending time with the people around us as much as we do exercising and eating right?”
In a world full of “likes” and “friends”, why are we lonelier than ever?
Because its not authentic. We are afraid to show our true colors, for fear of seeming less than perfect.
So I challenge you all once again.
Reach out to someone. Not via text or email. But really REACH out, ( you must be physical for this). Look someone in their eyes, maybe even hold their hand, but really LISTEN to what they say when you ask them how things are going.
It could be the frenzied neighbor that looks like she really needs a break.
Or the “always put together” mom you see at carpool everyday?
Chances are, no matter who you choose to reach out to, they are dying to express themselves.
So shout it from the rooftops, friends. Be proud of your imperfections; they are what make you approachable and unique. And you never know who you might be comforting by just being YOU.
We may not all be doctors, but we can certainly make it our jobs to try to mend lives one ailing person at a time.
I miss you terribly Jane.
Bethany says
Sending deepest condolences and lots of love on the sudden loss of your friend, Mon! *hugs*
Wonderful post, admire and appreciate your vulnerability to write it and share.
Monica says
Bethany,
Thank you so much, and I Miss you!!! I’m on fire for this purpose! I want so much to reach out and help mend those around me, known or unknown. Sending love
Ryan Morinelli says
Your words are beautiful and inspiring. The photo is a lovely one. I remember the night well, full of reuniting and connecting. I will cherish the memory.
Monica says
Ryan,
This is only the beginning, I feel. I am so incredibly driven now to mentor the lonely, the lost. They are loved , and need to know it. Thank you so much for reaching out!!! I’m looking forward to reconnecting! Even with your our time difference :O)
Rita says
Thank you Monica for your thoughtful perspective. WE all need to take more time to be who we are and to reach out to others. There is more freedom in being truly who we are – tough the world tells us otherwise. Thank you for asking us to think upon some wonderful ideas.
Monica says
Thank you so much for reading, thinking about, and responding to this!
Susan says
Well said! I recently lost a friend due to the abuse and humiliation her new boss put on her. She was a professional, a lawyer, in a new field snd moved to the DC area for what she thought was new opportunity in the big city. Instead it killed her. So be careful with your words.
Monica says
Susan,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. This has been the hardest week- many , many things cause me to simply breakdown again. I am grasping to the beautiful memories, and hope for the future of the many out there that can still be saved.