Lean on Me
After working on an article last week about mental health,? It's Okay Not to be Okay a.k.a. 8 minutes, while I was out for my daily ride, I was tracking through my iTunes library alphabetically, Lean on Me played. The original version by Bill Withers.? As it was almost over I restarted it and repeated that once more.? Listening to the message unfold, with each and? every word and note.? It was the same message I was keying in on with my article.??
"Lean on Me" could be an anthem for Mental Health. From the opening verse,†Sometimes in our lives, We all have pain, We all have sorrow.†the song delivers a message of support and solidarity The repeated invitation to "lean on me when you're not strong" highlights the significance of offering support, reinforcing the idea that it's healthy and beneficial to seek help from others. Withers' lyrics, "For it won't be long, 'til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on," captures our shared human experience of vulnerability and the need for empathy, recognizing that everyone has moments of weakness.??
The line, "We all need somebody to lean on," underscores the reciprocal nature of friendship where providing support, and receiving help are both valuable. The song encourages reaching out and connecting with others during tough times just as I point out in Simon Senik’s situation with his friend.??
“If you are wise you know that there is always tomorrow.� Reminding us that problems are temporary and that some solutions are permanent.?
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On the local news, that evening they were reporting on a course at Iowa State University taught by Amie Zarling Phd, The Science and Practice of Happiness. ? It addresses the tools to cope with negative thoughts and be happier.? I have encouraged folks to take the free course from Yale The Science of? Wellbeing on Corceara, several times. In this course, you will engage in various challenges designed to increase your happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change.
In the article, It’s Such a Good Feeling, I bring up an activity that Fred Rogers ( Mister Rogers) often had people do.? Fred instructs folks in a commencement speech, “Take some time to think of those extra-special people, some of them may be right here, some may be far away, some may have passed away.? No matter where they are, deep down you know that they have always wanted what was best for you, they have always cared about you beyond measure, and have encouraged you to be true to the best within you.†These are the folks you lean on.
I encourage you to listen to Lean on Me and while you are listening practice Mr. Roger's suggestion. Research shows it only takes two minutes of being in an appreciative state to change your brain chemistry enough to have a measured positive effect for the entire day.