Some days it’s good to be a writer just to blow off negative steam. I woke up fairly melancholy today, something I don’t do too often. Something I rarely talk about to anyone when I am feeling rather sad. But you know what? Perhaps that’s not such a good habit of mine. Who doesn’t feel sad some days? And an even better question I have asked myself this morning is why don’t we tend to tell someone dear to us, “Hey! I’m not really having the best day here. I know you understand. I know you have felt this way, too. Could you just lend me your ear for a minute? Could you just hold my hand?”
I know I have lots of people who love me. That’s not my point. I am thinking about the fact that I go for weeks at a time when no one physically touches me. I touch no one. Me, a hugger. And I know there are millions of people out there who feel the same way I do. And I can feel lonely, just like millions of other people all over the world can feel lonely. I wonder about these things when I am melancholy. I bet if I walked into a big store like a super Walmart and asked over the intercom if anyone has felt lonely lately, or a little melancholy, tons of people would raise their hand. Maybe, just maybe, some of us would have the courage to look at each other, and offer a hand shake, or a smile. Or, gasp! What if we actually talked about our loneliness for a minute or two with each other? Oh, what a comfort I think that would bring each of us to have someone really see us, even if it is a short moment in time.
My dear friend Grace told me a few years ago about special benches that have been placed, I think in the state of California, around the different cities. You may sit on these benches only if you are looking for someone to simply sit and talk with you. And it works! Strangers meet strangers and sit and chat awhile. I imagine most of them are able to walk away feeling pretty good about their day.
I consider myself fortunate because I know several ways to overcome my sad feelings. I can have a good cry. I can write them on my blog. I can call someone on the phone. I can hug my dog and cat. I can take my prayer walk and tell God, “Hey! It’s me, Joan! I need a little help today with my melancholy thoughts. Please send me some sort of happy surprise.” I can pray for other people and their Highest Good as I walk and focus in on the birds and the Tall Beings. I can share my feelings with Grandmother Tree, and hear her respond with love in her long, swaying branches, and imagine myself enclosed in her embrace, sharing her strength with me. Every action I choose to take helps me feel better, helps me come out of a funk I have decided I no longer want to be in. Helps my feelings of sadness flow out of me rather than build up in me.
We’ve had buckets of rain here the past few days. I understand that also is part of my melancholy morning. Now the sun is peeking out behind the grey clouds. There are bits of blue sky moving in. I feel a different attitude moving in me… gratitude, and doing things I want to do today, with the wisdom to stay in just this one day.
Yeah, it helps to write it down.
c Love, Joan
Thank you so much for sharing this poignant post, beautiful lady. It is heart touching to see you give voice to the inner aspect of you that is feeling melancholy today, to draw it in closer to your heart and give it acknowledgment. And it is certainly beautiful role modeling for others to give them permission to do the same!
I’m also touched that you brought up the idea I told you about years ago about the “happy to chat” bench, which started in the UK and hopefully has spread to the US and other countries by now!
Here’s more info on that concept, for anyone who might be interested:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/happy-to-chat-bench-aims-to-combat-loneliness/ar-AA1r1oZs
Thank you beautiful Lady for your correct follow up on the “happy to chat” benches. As you can see I still believe they are a great idea!
It helps to share your feelings through the written word and for those who read them it helps Thank you for sharing and know some days are harder than others and yet they will change. Part of being human is the ability to bounce back.
And we are so much stronger when we share. Blessings,
Blessings back to you beautiful Lady! Your wise words are true. :O)
Thanks for sharing your melancholy with all of us. We all feel it sometimes, but it can feel so lonely when we carry it in silence. I see you and I love you, beautiful lady. Sending you a virtual hug. 🤗 ❤️
Thank you for the hug beautiful Girl! I am with you, we all can feel melancholy at times.
I love it when you give voice to what many of us will not share about. We hold these feelings inside fearing no one wants to hear them. I am always amazed when I share such thoughts how many people have felt the same way. You are a blessing in my life, in so many ways! Thank you for sharing your voice in inner conversations!
I have thought it might be good to create a hug booth so people could just come and get a free hug. We all need to physical touch to help us thrive. I have seen articles about the chat bench. Great idea!
I read about a grocery in Sweeden (maybe) where they opened “slow checkout lanes.” This is for people who want to interact with the clerk as they buy their groceries since this is often the only human contact they have all day. People line up and wait to go through these checkout lines!
Love, blessings and a big hug to you!
Rev. Rick! I love the idea of the free hug booth and the slow checkout line. I had thought of the grocery store yesterday when I wrote my post. I see the loneliness some days when I am out buying groceries. I always try to send out smiles. Sending love, blessings and hugs back to you!