By guest writer: Carol Ermo
SOMEONE SMILED AT ME
During this time of concern and isolation we just need someone to smile at us. If you live alone, this is more than important, it is needed. I have moved around enough in my lifetime that I know firsthand how this affects us on a personal basis. It wasn’t in the packing or unpacking, it wasn’t in the leaving friends (they were still my friends), it was being someplace where wherever I went there was no one to look at me and smile. No one with a look of recognition in their eyes. It was like I was invisible and alone. Of course, over time that ended as I made friends and became involved. I urge you to become as involved as you can, but that is for another time. I also learned that if I smiled at someone, most of the time, they would smile back. I am sure they walked away wondering “should I know that person?” That made me smile. So, find someone to smile at. If you go out, do it with a smile. If someone comes to your door, smile at them. Who knows, you may just get a smile back. During this time of masks, smile and it will show in your eyes. You are important and you are not invisible. So with this, I send you a BIG SMILE.
MEET YOUR BEST FRIEND – YOURSELF
Friends- we all need them. They are the ones who give us fellowship, caring, a feeling of belonging and a sense of self-worth. During this time of isolation or semi-isolation, we need someone to be our friend more than ever. Call someone, and if they don’t answer, call someone else. Send a note to someone just to say “Hi.” I once knew a person who was lonely and I suggested sending a note to someone and the response was “I don’t know what to say.” If that person showed up at your door what would you say? Don’t say “no one cares” because that is a lie we tell ourselves. It is not true. Just because our mailboxes are not stuffed full or our phone does not ring off the hook (spam calls do not count) does not mean no one cares, which brings me to the title above. Be your own BEST FRIEND. Doing something for others makes you feel good but doing something for yourself makes you feel good also. Look in the mirror and tell yourself “Hi” or “Good Morning,” or just laugh at yourself. Remind yourself of all of the good things you have done in your life. As humans, we tend to think most often of the mistakes or sad times. You can change that. As soon as a negative thought comes into your mind CANCEL IT and REPLACE IT with a GOOD THOUGHT. Treat yourself to something you really like. Mine is hot chocolate. It makes me feel relaxed and hugged. Speaking of hugs, give yourself one. Find things to laugh at, like jokes. A good belly laugh will always make you feel better even if you are sitting alone. If someone else lives with you, remember laughter is contagious. FIND the things that make you feel good right where you are and do not play into the game “if only.” BE YOUR BEST FRIEND!
