01/12/2021
Some wise words from Dr. Patrick Gentempo about human connections in these times - add in some aromatherapy between friends and emotional soothing/healing can take place.
"Friend, There’s a lot of great, motivational messages going out as we launch into the new year… and I think that’s a good thing.
But…
I am observing lately that there is a lot of silent suffering. I’ve spoken to many who had a great loss in 2020. Parents who’ve had children die of drug overdose. Children who’ve lost parents to illness. People whose businesses have been destroyed by COVID shutdowns after having invested years of effort and all their savings.
The list goes on…
In Japan recently, they calculated that there were more deaths from su***de in the preceding month than from COVID for the whole year.
Wait, I am not trying to depress you! (This is leading to an important concept!)
I am trying to get REAL…
The impact of widespread fear and separation cannot be ignored. Of course I want for us all to get positive and set lofty goals and affirm that 2021 will be a terrific year.
But as I have previously shared, my survey showed that 47% of people are “less optimistic” about 2021 compared to 2020. So I am not going to pretend that everyone is clapping their hands and jumping up and down and rushing toward blue skies and riches.
Some are sad, maybe even depressed. Some are scared. Some are worried. And that is okay to acknowledge, in fact we need to acknowledge it.
As I have shared before, my mentor, Dr. Nathaniel Branden said, “You can’t leave a place you’ve never been.”
Here’s where the connection comes in…
Sitting separated and alone with worry, sadness and other challenges causes a downward spiral.
We yearn for connection.
I can’t tell you how many times recently, I simply looked someone in the eyes while they shared a sad or challenging predicament, and I would listen, nod, and express that it must be ‘really hard’ to go through what your are going through and that I cared and I hoped that things would get better.
And it was like magic…
I was shocked at how they said they felt sooooo much better and more positive than they had in a while.
It was so simple, yet so helpful. Just to connect for a few moments. I’m wondering…
If you are feeling down right now. If you feel like you’ve been suffering silently – perhaps you can sit with someone you love and trust and share with them what you’re feeling.
And…
If you come to know someone, or come across someone who is having a tough time right now, can you feel a sense of generosity with your time and listening and let them share with you?
With the predicament of the world right now, I think we all need to voluntarily participate in the healing of it. We need to feel generous. We need to care.
Trust me, there is plenty to be angry about and plenty to protest. I certainly do through my work activities. But it is also a time for kindness and generosity. Our governments won’t save us. Big corporations will exploit us. We need to, on the grassroots level, transcend, be kind, be generous.
To love something is to feel connected to it. We all yearn for connection. Let’s consciously connect through kindness and generosity.
I celebrate my connection to you.
With purpose,
Patrick"
