By Esther Cohen

For anyone who has gone through overwhelming emotions such as desolation, fear, loss, depression, anxiety, and many other difficult feelings, knowing you are not alone is key to finding hope and vital for survival.

Humans were created with the gift of empathy, of genuinely feeling for one another. Through empathy, they can develop the ability to tiptoe around someone else’s inner world and show them that no matter what, they are not alone. It is quite unbelievable the difference this can make to someone’s life. It may, in fact, save a life.

When a person is going through dark times, they cannot always find the way out on their own. A myriad of deep feelings and irrational thoughts may keep them from reaching out for help. Feelings of inadequacy, misplaced shame and embarrassment activate an irrational thinking process that keeps them trapped in a downward spiral of doom and gloom.

“One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.” (Shannon L. Adler)

Most of us can identify with periods when we faced deep darkness. How did you overcome it? Who or what was the small light that helped you begin to see through the darkness? Who helped you find hope despite feelings of inadequacy and motivated you to reconquer your inner world?

We are living through difficult times.

Pause what you are doing and look at your list of contacts. Reach out to someone to let them know they are not alone.

You might be doing more for them than you can ever know.