Blog Guelph: You Are Not Alone

The Water Whisperer, a photo by peterkelly on Flickr.

My dog was having some trouble breathing this morning. He’s ten and I guess, despite being in top mental and physical shape, his heart is failing him. But he’s been my friend for a decade and the thought of not having him there someday is something I don’t know how to even think about.  I can’t imagine what it will mean to find myself without him.

But I know. I know that there are other people like me out there that have dogs. Who love them just the same. And so, I also know…

I am not alone.

Later this morning I attended a panel discussion on how to make the culture of innovation more present in our community. The discussion was led by Mayor Farbridge, Lloyd Longfield, Kirk Roberts, and Erin Skimson.  The conversation of innovation was clearly about collaboration; about overcoming roadblocks and reaching out across divides; about caring enough to take someone’s hand when they have offered it. About having the courage to create deeper relationships.

Creativity and love are not so different. They both require communities, participants, dedication, risk. But they do not thrive when they are not shared. And I know that operating as individuals, we are alone. And so, I also know that in being part of a strong community…

We are not alone.

I have lost friends to depression - they felt so deeply alone.  And I have lost friends to drugs and to alcohol. Not because they were the life of the party, but because they felt alone.

Aloneness is a deeper issue than I can even begin to touch on. It has so many faces and levels. A human river - it runs through us all. But in so doing, it builds the banks and tributaries of our communities and defines our human possibility. It drives us to connect with the vaster waters; to be part of the bigger sea.

Yes, we will face challenges today and tomorrow and thereafter. Life is hard. For everyone.

But please know. No matter what.

You are not alone.

Hey and I hope you'll join the Community Bear Hug on Monday, February 20 at 2pm. I’d like to see you and to share in a few moments of Guelph joy and comradery.

~ Aidan M.D. Ware