You'll Be Glad You Did

I had been waiting for a friend to email, call or text me.

But it was silence for weeks.

Then, out of the blue - he sends a message saying "Where have you been? I have not heard a peep from you."

I laughed and wrote back: "I was thinking the same thing about you!"

He was waiting for me. I was waiting for him.

And so it is with many of us during this pandemic.

We wait.

But we are all waiting.

Younger people in particular need their friends to reach out so they can feel validated.

Many years ago, I would stare in front of my computer waiting for email messages that never came. 

I felt unwanted, unappreciated and lonely as only spam came my way.

But we all have the option to take back our power.

To be the initiator.

The one who dares to reach out.

Making the first move is empowering. 

More importantly - it produces results.

This past week, I reached out to a friend I have not communicated with since the pandemic began. It has been so long, I was sure a reply would not be forthcoming. I was wrong. In fact, it took a grand total of 2 minutes for him to say hello.

It was as though he was sitting patiently near his phone, for months on end, for me to make contact.

The pandemic has tested us in so many ways.

Our basic desire to feel important, to be helpful to others, and to be acknowledged is perhaps more urgent, more vital and more relevant to our mental health - now, more than ever.

From the bowels of a cold basement is a plea to be heard.

We shall not wait.

Take back your power.

Befriend the lonely, show compassion. 

Make contact.