A message from Sandy.

Rule #1——–Whether it is a plant, an animal, or a person: if it’s alive, it’s much more likely to thrive when you give it lots of loving attention.

Rule #2 ———Isolation can be the end.

What can we do to help those around us enjoy life more? These suggestions may sound simple, but can be profoundly effective. As you read them you may think “but this goes without saying doesn’t it?” Unless you are doing these things already, then no, it does not go without saying. What if we all did more of the following, with more people from this day forward? What might the world look like then?

• Visit with people who are lonely (so we spend a few more minutes with that elderly patient)
• Look into people’s eyes, smile at them
• Offer a comforting pat on the shoulder or hand more often
• Listen more
• Entertain more (I know you all have hidden talents–cheering people can be one of them)
• Talk to your team, the boss, your friends, anyone you admire about things they have done that have impressed you, made you think, made you feel better, or made you make a change in your own life.
• Tell the people you care about that they are important to you. That you care about them, you miss them, you can’t wait to see them again. Remind them what it is you love about them.
• Do the things you only do to people you really  enjoy and feel comfortable with more often, like a nudge with your elbow,leave a chocolate treat, throw an eraser at them,  express camaraderie with them.
• Rather than ask how they feel—ask what do you want to do today to have some fun?
• If someone feels embarrassed–tell an embarrassing story of your own. So far nothing I know of reduces the pain of embarrassment more than seeing others embarrassed. It is an immediate perspective adjustment.
• If someone is overwhelmed, and they are open to talking about it; help them see how they can break the problem into separate pieces….figure out which piece of the problem is most important, and focus on coming up with a healthy solution to that one problem.

If we increase our connection to people and in turn increase our connection in the pleasure of living—we can make a difference. You can make a difference!