As I lie comfortably in my bed at night staring out the window of my condo at a lamp post on the sidewalk of my building, I think about how within just a few yards of me there are hundreds of people living out their diverse lives who have their own joys and problems. I think about how even though we are all so close in proximity to each other, we are so completely oblivious to each other. We are so cooped up in our own lives that we don’t divert our attention to each other long enough to share just a moment of our time with each other. It’s a shame too. Because within just the confines of my condo complex, it is likely we would be able to find family within each other, if only someone would stop to say “Hi, how are you doing” during their walk from the front door to their car. People don’t take the time to get to know their neighbors anymore. People are too focused on trivialities, and too much in a hurry to be bothered. I think about all the potential people around me less than a quarter mile away, living out their lives in their condo.
A couple making love.
A child crying themselves to sleep because they have an abusive parent.
A teenage boy playing video games online in his room.
A teenage girl crying over a boy that dumped her.
A gay couple rejoicing with some Champaign, as they just began their own startup business together.
A three-time divorced woman wondering why she can’t make a relationship work.
An old man crying because he lost his wife to cancer a week ago.
A couple feeling joyous because they just learned that they are pregnant.
A couple embracing each other tight, in tears because they just learned that they can’t have children.
A new high school graduate unable to sleep, because tomorrow she goes off to college.
A single father breaking down in tears because he just can’t reach his wayward son.
A man staring at another strange sleeping woman in his bed with regret, because he just can’t seem to shake his wicked ways.
A lonely middle aged man, who has all but given up dating.
A woman with a black eye, who would rather be with an abusive man, then be alone.
A small family of four having a late night, game night.
A man fresh out of prison, trying to get a fresh start, filling out job applications.
These people should know each other. They can help each other. But we are so busy with our own small lives that we are completely detached from the people, the world around us. I can’t begin to tell you how many of the world’s problems today would be solved (or never have existed in the first place) if we were more connected with the people around us and less connected to the things in our lives; less connected with the trivial details.
People are important, not wealth, not status, and certainly not things. Proceed with that mantra, and we will find happiness in droves.