Heart and Mind

So many things are happening in our world today. There are two that strike me as being so insidious, that they need to be called out.

Fear and Isolation

Human beings, by our very nature, are social creatures. Why do you think so many of us have pets? Being social does not mean to say all of us are extroverts. Far from it! I, in fact, sometime verge on being a hermit. 🙂 What I am talking about here is what Christians call fellowship, what Aussies call mates, and what I call pals. (One pal I have is covered with fur.)

There is something so profoundly beautiful about a true friend. That steady, strong, enduring relationship, and just thinking about that person causes you to smile.. Of course, a pal might not cause the singing pheromones of a romantic interest, but I will stand by the strength and joy of a true friendship as a foundational requirement for life.

So…what is the antidote to fear and isolation? Trust, confidence, assurance…followed by relationships that are woven together with spiritual and emotional cords so bright, strong and beautiful they will never unravel.

Oh, all of that sounds so perfect, doesn’t it? What are some tangible things to do to keep from being sucked into the “dark side”?

Spend time and lavish love on your friends and family. Pray. Say things out loud that you are truly thankful for. Call a friend and tell them you care about them. Laugh more. Frown less. Start believing God is Who He Says He Is. Watch the moon rise. Listen to crickets singing. Be the one who smiles first. Look for angels. When you wake up, realize you’ve been given a whole new day to do these things again.

Make joy and love a pattern, and watch what happens.