(47) Transparency and Opaqueness – Beat Loneliness | 57 Ways

Forty-Seven (57 Ways to Beat Loneliness & Depression)

Transparency and Opaqueness

Her: How was your weekend?

Me: It was good. I spent some time with my family, which I really enjoyed because I hadn’t seen them in so long. I also got to read this really good book, have you heard of it it’s called… blah blah blah blah blah (5 minutes long)

Me: So how was your weekend

Her: It was good. (silence)

Yes, I know not everyone is as friendly or chatty as I am, but if people open up to you they expect you to open up to them as well. No they don’t want to hear about your miserable childhood or your abusive boyfriend per se, but they want to hear about you. Even if all you did all weekend was lounge on the couch and watched movies, talk about some of the good movies you watched, or some of the bad ones you hated.

Remember life is better when shared!

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(46) Be patient with life – Beat Loneliness | 57 Ways

Forty-Six (57 Ways to Beat Loneliness & Depression)

Be patient with life

We all have plans and goals, we all have places we would like to be by certain times. I remember my roommate from College would always say how she wanted to start having kids by 24, and she wanted to be married by 23. She was 22 single and with no reasonable prospect in sight. I understood where she was coming from, but she was giving herself unnecessary pressure. Who says that if you don’t have kids before 30 you will not be able to have fun with them. Who says if you don’t make your incremental million at a young age you will not be successful in life.

Yes incremental success is always great, and that is the way it happens many times, but sometimes we may feel like we are beating our heads against the wall and going nowhere and then something happens and we have exponential success!

Don’t be discouraged by where you are. Life is not linear and cannot be easily charted…Life is organic!

 

Remember life is meant to be enjoyed!

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(45) Please remember my name – Beat Loneliness | 57 Ways

Forty-Five  (57 Ways to Beat Loneliness & Depression)

Please Remember my name

“Wow that’s a beautiful name! Can I call you ‘O?'”

“No please call me Osayi.”

It doesn’t matter how challenging a person’s name is, don’t try to make up a pet name for them. If they can take the effort to learn and remember your name, you should take the effort to learn and remember their name.

I can’t tell you how many times I have surprised people by remembering their names. It doesn’t take a whole lot of effort, but it’s worth it.

“Remember that a man’s name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in the English language.”
– Dale Carnegie

So you want a shortcut to making new friends instantly? Remember our names! It means the world to us.

Remember life is a beautiful melody.

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(44) Learn to light up – Beat Loneliness | 57 Ways

Forty-Four  (57 Ways to Beat Loneliness & Depression)

Learn to Light up

A few years ago, one of the ladies at my church pulled me aside and asked me whether I was interested in one of the guys at the church. She said that she noticed that I lit up whenever he was around. She was right. I did light up whenever he was around. I enjoyed talking to him and listening to his wisdom. But she missed something. I light up whenever anyone is around.

As an adult I began realizing how important it was for people to feel missed and feel special and feel wanted. I realized how easily people feel comfortable with you when you showed them how excited you were to be around them. So I practice this daily. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when I don’t “light up” around people as I should, and there are some people that are easier for you to “light up” around than others, but that doesn’t change the fact that people are special and should be treated “special.”

So how do you light up?

1. Always have a big smile when you see them

2. Think of how you would react if you were delighted by something (how expressive your face and hands and voice would be) and do that whenever you see them.

3. Remember something from your last conversation with them and follow up with them.

4. Remember their names and say it when you see them (whether they are old friends or new acquaintances)

 

Remember to let your light shine – it’s the only light that some will ever see!

 

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(43) Have time for people – Beat Loneliness | 57 Ways

Forty-Three  (57 Ways to Beat Loneliness & Depression)

Have time for people

One Sunday, not that long ago church had ended and I was in a rush. I’m not really sure where I was in a rush to, or whether I was just pretending to be in a rush so I did not have to look like I had nothing going on in my life (a discussion for another time). But there I am rushing out of Church, and two of the brightest most beautiful girls accosted me and started talking about their lives. It was the most beautiful thing ever. I don’t quite remember what we said but I know that was probably one of the most fun conversations I have had at the Church. We talked about school, about books, about where we saw ourselves in the future. I smiled so much, I wanted them to have a better life than I could ever imagine, and I wanted them not to have to deal with some of the hurts that I have lived through. At the end of the conversation, they felt like they had been heard, and I felt like I was at the right place at the right time doing what God wanted me to do.

I could have just said hi and walked away, but listening to the girls not only made them feel good, it made me feel good as well. So take the time to listen to people, it may be the first time in a long time that they actually experience that kind of quiet acceptance and acknowledgment.

Remember life is more about what you give than what you receive.

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(42) Make new friends – Beat Loneliness | 57 Ways

Forty-two (57 Ways to Beat Loneliness & Depression)

Make new friends

I made a new friend (at work) last week. I just happened to run into her and I asked her what her name was. The next day I casually asked her what she was interested in, and we struck up a conversation. I even ended up introducing her to another friend who was currently working in the field she was interested in.

Now every time I see my new friend she smiles and talks a little. She used to keep to herself and look sad most of the day, but now she smiles. How exciting! I’m excited for her because she’s probably glad to finally be able to talk to someone at work. But I’m also excited for me because I’m learning about the complexity of people and their lives. It’s easy to make fun of the guy that stares at you at work until you realize that he has complicated family issues that he has to deal with every night when he gets home (and sometimes during lunch breaks).

Investing in people is ALWAYS worth it! And it always yields a 100% return.

Remember life is best when serving others.

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When good people die – The Final Summit Book Review

Today Amy Winehouse was found dead. So sad. She was too young. But no one can say they were surprised by news of her death. Yes we were saddened, but we were definitely not surprised.

On the other hand, when people are busy serving God, and seem to be in prime health die, we are tempted to mourn and weep and ask God why. We forget that God doesn’t cause people’s death. In our grief we question everything we ever believed.

This is the place that David Ponder (The Final Summit’s main character) finds himself in the beginning of the book. His wife of 28 years is dead, and with her is all his hope, confidence and will for living. He forgets the wisdom he had learned throughout his life. He forgets about how much God loved him. He forgets about his amazing visits with Angels and the other travelers (Winston Churchill, Anne Frank etc.)

Thankfully things happen to show Ponder that his life is meaningful!

(Perhaps that’s what happens when you realize that the fate of humanity rests in your hands.)

Now do I believe that some of the “travelers” in the book will actually be in heaven? Probably not, but that’s why this is a work of fiction. Do I believe that the Archangels actually have the attitudes in the book? Probably not, as I said earlier, it is a work of fiction. Would I suggest you read the book? Yes definitely! It’s a great encouraging book full of wisdom.

* Thomas Nelson Provided me with a free copy to review

The Final Summit is an excellent book, written by Andy Andrews

(41) Reconnect with Old Friends | 57 Ways

Forty-One (57 Ways to Beat Loneliness & Depression)

Reconnect with Old friends.

The other day I went to watch a movie (Midnight in Paris) with a group of people, but only two of us showed up. This guy (let’s call him G) and I. Everything went pretty well. He paid for the movies, I paid for the snacks, and we went along to enjoy the movie. Surprisingly, the movie was really good, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. There some hilarious scenes and hilarious lines. Like the one line by one of the main characters, Inez, after she thought the help stole her jewelry and her fiance, Gil, tried to comfort her. Inez said “You always take the side of the help. That’s why Daddy says you’re a communist.”

The whole movie was full of stupid sayings like that and I found myself laughing wholeheartedly…that is until G leaned over and asked me “are you always this loud?” ouch! So for the entire night I was so self-conscious. I still enjoyed the movie, but I was not able to fully immerse myself into it…

A few days ago, I was talking to one of my friends from high school (let’s call her J). We talked about the most random things. I told her everything that was going on in my life, giving her all the highlights of my “blonde” moments, and she laughed with me. She never said I was too loud or too “blonde” or too anything. She just accepted me for me. And it reminded me of why I love her so much. I hope she feels equally comfortable with me.

Remember life is meant to be amazing! And old friends are often the best people to remind you of that.

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57 Ways to Beat Loneliness and Depression 31-40

Hey everyone, I hope you are enjoying this series on beating loneliness – I enjoyed researching and blogging about it.

For those who may have missed a day, I have everything organized here for you.

Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about the series!
I enjoy hearing from you all.
Thank you for sharing this time with me.

(40) Imagine Success – Beat Loneliness | 57 Ways

FORTY. (57 Ways to Beat Loneliness & Depression)

Imagine Success

What does success look like to you?

What would you do differently if you had all you wish you had?

Where would you go? What would you spend more time (or less time) doing? What charity would you give more money to, or spend more time serving? Who would you spend more time (or less time) with?

Whatever it is that you would do, start doing it now – and you will be surprised how acting successful usually leads to paths of success.

Imagine what a successful life would look like. Imagine what a successful career would look like. Imagine how you would be if you never had to worry about failing…and go out and be!

Remember you are meant to succeed in life.

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