Thinking Out Loud, Volume DII

I remember reading a novel a few years ago about a guy who devised a plan to destroy the world, saving only himself and a woman of his choice, giving him the chance to start over on humanity. Naturally, as can be expected in a novel, something went wrong, and the woman he wanted to spare lost her life as well, leaving him in the unfortunate position of being the only human being still alive on the entire planet. That story is obviously just a figment of a man's imagination, but can you even imagine what it would be like to be the only person on earth? Barbara Streisand recorded a song that said "People who need people are the luckiest people in the world." I think that includes all of us. Basically, everything we do, have done, or plan to do involves other people. Lonely people are not happy people, and as strange as it may seem, a person in a crowded room may feel lonely. You, me, and everyone else crave love, acceptance, friendship, recognition, respect, and the assurance that we're important to someone else, yet all those cravings involve other humans. We're constantly looking for others who are like us....those who share common interests. From the time they're old enough to move around, kids long to find other kids to play with, while adults are content to just sit and carry on conversation with other adults. When we experience what we call that "warm, fuzzy feeling," it's almost always brought on by a relationship with someone else. Now for the other side of the story: When we experience emotional pain, hurt feelings, disappointment, sadness, rejection, inferiority, or rage, it's a result of our relations with other people. Isn't it amazing how the source our warm, happy feelings can also be the source of much of our pain? It's like water, a natural resource that's essential for our survival, yet that same resource can sweep over us in torrents and take our lives away. People bring us joy; people bring us pain. People build us up; people tear us down. People make us laugh; people make us cry. People are good for us; people are bad for us. Here's my point: Not everyone will like you, and you may have no idea why they don't. There will be those who will hurt you, and it may or may not be intentional. There will be times when you will feel rejected or forgotten. The end result may leave you feeling bitter and make you afraid to allow yourself to become that close to anyone ever again. You should reject those feelings. There will always be someone else who can potentially be just as close to you as the one who hurt you, and if you bring the bitterness from the old relationship into the new one, you're setting yourself up for the same kind of pain all over again. It's not fair to your new friend, and it's not fair to you. You must allow yourself to become as vulnerable as before. Feelings of paranoia will never allow you to be completely happy again. You need people. People need you. We can't make it without each other, but it will be so much better for all involved if we're happy in the process. That part is up to you and me. Preston