It’s well known that being connected to others socially is crucial to our well-being and even to our survival. We are made for relationships, which is a gift from our Creator.
Being in relationship with others provides us with a sense of connection and support and with everything we’ve been through as a community these past couple of years, it’s no wonder that a new Loneliness Study done by AARP reports that we’re now entering into a “Loneliness Epidemic”.
When we’re connected with others, we recognize that what happens to others directly affects us and vice versa but in order for us to be helpful and to be helped, we have to be available, we have to be present and we have to be willing to listen. When I ran for tribal council I made the commitment to keep an afternoon open to talk to and meet with tribal members. In less than two weeks since writing this article, I have spoken to: a homeless tribal member, a tribal member who just lost his job, a tribal member on the verge of losing her job, a tribal member in recovery struggling with the daily demands of life, a disheartened mom who is trying to advocate for her son in school, an elder who is lonely and an elder who wants to help make positive changes for other elders in our community. The common theme throughout these discussions was discouragement over the lack of connection and being able to be together in community. We’re made for relationships and we’re made for community.
When we’re not in relationship with others, it sets the stage for creating the “otherness” mindset. Instead of seeing and respecting our differences, it allows us to alter the way we respond to others by thinking and saying, well, I feel bad for that person, but at least that’s not me. When we should be thinking and saying, that could easily be me. That homeless person I spoke to…that could be me. That person in recovery struggling with the daily demands of life…that could be me. That disheartened mom trying to advocate for her son in school, that IS me. What happens to those tribal members, it affects me, it affects you. We are in this together and this is precisely why I do this work.
My heart’s desire is that this topic allows you to dig a little deeper and reflect on your own relationships, perhaps lack of openness, vulnerability or being able to ask for help. Now that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, this is the perfect time to reflect on where and how we want to relate to others moving forward. I treasure the time that I’ve been able to talk to tribal members, lend a listening ear and get to know people better. I’m honored that people reach out to me and I look forward to more of the same in the future.
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Masi. Be well.
Michael Cherry
Tribal Councilwoman
503-879-4555
