Are We Lonely Today?   

   Almost half of Americans 18 and older admit to being lonely. 

   Gen Z (18- to 22-year-olds) are the loneliest. 

   A state director for AARP says "Loneliness is killing us slowly." It leads to morbidity the same as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and is ahead of obesity and diabetes. 

   Why haven't we heard this? Maybe because no one interacts those who are alone. 

   The AARP director says loneliness is a root of hopelessness, early trauma, more fear and less trust, and despair. (And we blame guns?)   

   He recommends, "Be a neighbor, not a stranger...whether in deep friendship or casual acquaintance. Second, find a cause and volunteer." 

   How would he suggest separating us from our cell phones long enough to actually engage in face to face conversation?

On the Other Hand  
"When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudice and motivated by pride and vanity." 
                                                - Dale Carnegie, Psychology Today 

      Jimmy