Nobody Cares

I was helping a friend move into a new home recently when he lamented that "nobody cares". I asked what he meant. His reply: "I have asked friends and family to help us move, but everyone is so busy. It's as though they could care less what we do."

It got me thinking about my own situation. In the past two years, I have launched numerous new projects, hoping, as all entrepreneurs do, to get a positive response. But for most of those projects, not only did I not get a positive response - I got no response at all.

Many of us today are asking the question "What is the point?" We work hard, try new things - and, for what? The world responds with indifference.

And that, according to the Pope, is the problem.

In the words of Pope Francis, in a recent interview with 60 Minutes: "Please, we have to get our hearts to feel again. We cannot remain indifferent in the face of such human dramas. The globalization of indifference is a very ugly disease."

And then the Pope repeated himself: "Very ugly".

He was, of course, talking about the wars taking place on this planet and the human indifference to it all.

I believe that indifference is the cause for much of the depression and anxiety that exists today.

But the deeper question here is: why? Why are so many indifferent?

Many experts point to an obsession with selfishness, spending hour upon hour in front of computer screens and engaging in narcisstic social media posting.

I think it's more than that.

Overwhelmed by world events, we withdraw to our own little sphere of influence. We feel that we cannot do anything about what is hapening out there, so we use what little control we do have to exert change in our personal lives - often, at the expense of showing any kind of empathy towards friends, family and strangers who may be in need.

Maybe it's a kind of self-protection - to shield ourselves against the outer world of chaos.

But within my network of people, and perhaps yours also, are a few individuals who are unbelievably kind and supportive. Far from "indifferent", they take an active interest in the lives of others, offering encouragement without judgement.

These angels on earth are rare.

Others have taken note of their generosity because of that rarity. And it's made these special people not only popular but highly influential.

Their support is genuine with no hidden agenda - not fake as is the case with most of the advertising and corporate lies we are subjected to each day.

Most of us can spot a BS'er from a mile away. But we can also spot those gems of society who are authentic.

And so - who cares?

You do.

And who will reap the benefits of that caring? Certainly those you support, but certainly also - you will benefit - from having a renewed purpose in this life that matters.