All the Lonely People

Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name

Nobody came

Father Mckenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave

No one was saved

All the lonely people

Where do they all come from?

All the lonely people

Where do they all belong?

--John Lennon and Paul McCartney

there is a loneliness in this world so great

that you can see it in the slow movement of

the hands of a clock.

people so tired

mutilated

either by love or no love.

people just are not good to each other

one on one.

the rich are not good to the rich

the poor are not good to the poor.

we are afraid.

--Charles Bukowski

Scratch just beneath the surface of most everyone you know and you will discover a suffocating loneliness. People starving for emotional connection-- “Please notice me. Please care about my life.” – yet unable to find their heart’s desire. Some people, of course, are black holes where no matter what you say or do it will never be enough. Most people, however, are either afraid to open up and ask for company and companionship or are emotionally crippled by their loneliness and have given in to what they perceive as their destiny.

Take notice of people, even strangers. Look them in the eye when you speak to them and pay attention to what they are saying.

Be present. People know when your mind wanders to other concerns or thoughts. I think this is one of the greatest gifts you can give to people: the respect of your full attention. 

Treat everyone with dignity. Remember they too were created in God’s image, no matter how marred that image has become.

Love because that is who you are, not because you want or expect something in return.

Don’t greet people with your needs; greet with them with your love.

Most people assume that others don’t care one wit about them. Surprise them. Then surprise them again.

Small kindnesses make all the difference in the world.  

Begin the practice of offering brief silent prayers for all those whom you encounter. “God be with him.” “May she encounter your love, Father.” “God grant that I may be an instrument of your love: here, now, with these people.”

And if you are one of the lonely people? Well for whom do you think all these suggested actions were meant? Loving others has amazing curative powers!

Copyright, Monte E Wilson, 2012