Community, Neighbours and Good Values

By Positivity in the Chaos

Since the early days of man, life has always been hard. From hunter gathers to the modern struggles, we face daily. Previously we only had to worry about food, shelter, copulation and fending off rivals and animals. Minus the animals, in our current times, we have all those problems and more.

We all feel the pressures of crushing inflation, increased taxes that are more like legal robbery, taxes that should not exist and wages that will probably never be the same level as the living wage or above it. Some parents struggle to find time for their children, to be parents, because the cost of living has both parents working. While many single parents, are working two jobs suffering this issue. If they are lucky the grandparents may be able to help, because and the price of day-care is too high.

A habit those ambitious of us are following, is even working full time jobs, with side hustles to supplement our wallets.

Life is moving so fast, mothers, fathers and those without children, seek to escape the rat race as we all do. Enjoy holidays when affordable and available, days out into the countryside and woodlands as little escapes. Unfortunately, those of us who are dog walkers and countryside explorers have noticed our greenbelt land dwindling too. Public land snatched and turned into brown belt sites for warehouses or housing developments.

With this separation from nature and the increasing social and economic problems, mental health is at a low and anxieties are high. Food shelters, support struggling families trying to survive and remain confident however even digitally, we are not safe. Continually being digitalised, with the rise of social networks, and virtual technology such as artificial intelligence stealing our biometric data. Voice recorders, fingerprint takers, cameras with their facial recognition, phones acting like walking G.P.S. trackers and companies recorded in scandals listening into our private conversations.

Among these are issues such as digital transactions recording where we buy what item, how much we pay and how often we buy them. Bullying on social networks continues, as there is no escape, especially for teenagers who live virtual lives through social media. In all, we have many privacy invasion issues and because of them, it can feel we are not in control of our lives.

It is not all doom and gloom however; there are groups and organisations who work tirelessly to ease these pressures, people who care deeply and are full of community spirit. Let us explore these and find positive solutions to these negativities.

Community

Through the increased awareness of mental health issues, cases of depression, anxiety and suicide have been identified. The causes are because of a myriad of reasons, from psychological traumas, bullying scars, trust issues and financial worries. It can feel like they are never going to stop, never going to ease and we will never be free of them.

Society is progressing so fast, our mental well-being is regressing, mocking and kicking us when we are down. The unfortunate realisation is that we do not all survive the onslaught and seek to end our journeys early. In these times of desperation, it is not just the beautiful souls lost affected however, the after effects bring grief and sorrow to their loved ones.

To support our community and those in need in these dark times, heroes have risen to the occasion. Organisations and people, who offer different services to assist everyone in society. From financial advice, job searching assistance and ways to cope with the stress and pressures that come with these situations.

A mental health problem suffered nationally is loneliness, this can imply people who have no one to turn to for friendship because of bereavement and loss or simply individuals who feel like there is no one they can turn to for friendship and talk to about the weather, sports or just express themselves. If you feel alone and want companionship, know there are organisations and people who care about you. You are worthy; you are loved and if you are religious, know that God loves you.

There are gentle supporting services you can turn to. If you have friends and family, you know still cares about you, but feel you do not want to burden them; perhaps you can take little steps. Make small conversations, smile as best you can while being honest with yourself and enjoy each other’s company through jokes and laugh your way back to being healthy. If your loneliness stems from deeper problems and you can feel yourself becoming overwhelmed, search for support because there are people who love and care about you!

Many in society have experienced mental health problems ourselves. For this reason, they join services to save every life, to prevent mental health problems from affecting people achieving the best of their abilities. One of the ways they believe in supporting others is through the benefits of health and well-being, one to one conversations enabling participants to open up to each other, trust and talk about their problems. Group exercises individuals can form friendships, smile and laugh together.

They promote exercise and physical activities, because being physically fit; even a little can help people to become emotionally and mentally strong again, to regain their confidence and self-belief. If your self-confidence and belief in yourself is low, maybe this is the pathway for you. Love yourself again and gain friendships through it.

Spiritually, no matter if you are religious or not, meditation can help. Sit down in your garden, park or countryside, maybe even your home with calming music on, A.S.M.R. videos for example. Allow your mind to calm and embrace Nature again. Find your true loving happy self again.

If you are religious, go to your places of worship and seek spiritual guidance, where you feel spiritually the calmest. Modern urban life is exhausting, but that does not mean you have to keep pace with it, go at your own pace, because you control your life.

Communal centres and the staff who run them are staples in our society, they have supported us through the roughest times, like free parking, a place provided where we can feel safe and secure. From the members who drop in, to the volunteers who run them, their focus is supporting the people; gathering the beautiful, dedicated staff with culture rich visitors essentially creating community spirit in a metaphysical sense. They offer services, such as positive opportunities to socialise, bring like-minded people together, become food-banks in some cases and offer groups, events and advice.

They are hearts of our community and love and care for everyone; offering opportunities to heal and rejuvenate. If you feel you want to reconnect with your community because you feel something is missing, are lonely or just want to join in, contact them and join the family. Volunteering chances are usually available and while being a fantastic day out, one that can help you regain confidence and friends, you will be able to help out. By assisting too with enthusiastic people, the opportunity offers you a chance to grow your career prospects, gaining you the accolades of experience and team working among other key skills.

If you have financial worries, you are not alone in your concerns and before you let yourself become overwhelmed, search for organisations that can help. Stay as strong as you can and let these caring people support you as best they can. Charities and people are available to support you; they can offer advice on how to stay physically and mentally healthy. While also advice on money problems and can provide methods of financial resolutions and recommend specialists in debt advice.

A service that has propped up many families and individuals recently are food banks. Like community centres, they are run by volunteers and are available to those in need. In our current times of shaky finances and inflated prices, they have saved many lives, acting as lifelines, through their love and consideration for their neighbours. If you need to use these services to support yourselves and your families, do not be too proud because we all have times when we are down and just need that hand to pull us back to our feet.

If you fear becoming homeless because of circumstances out of your control, or are running away from traumatic environments, please also know you have worth and are a positive value to society. Should there be a chance before the worst happens, know there are groups who can help you and housing services that can support you through uncertain times.

We all have weak moments, times when we are financially insecure, socially anxious or just feeling lost. Our circumstances have the potential to cripple us if we let them, but before you fall into despair, know there are loving and caring people who want to show you the bright, shiny positive world again. The one you have food, shelter, friendship, companionship and financial stability, one you feel loved and included.

Neighbourly Values

Traditionally, and even in some communities today, neighbours were and are closer. Neighbourhood parties happen or people would pop over for a cup of tea or coffee and have a good chitchat. We would have barbeques together and possess close relationships. Of course, there was sometimes that person or family we would not get along with, however such is life; and if there is a genuine concern of safety risk, then it might not be worth it.

Through modern movements causing division and through the fast-paced nature of urbanised life, many of us have lost this cultural treasure. Not just a precious treasure though, our cultural identity.

Anyone can say they care and are tolerant, include others open heartedly, but hearts are swayed by actions, not words. When these same people claim to accept others for who they are, but dislike or attack them because their beliefs do not align, then maybe there is juxtaposition somewhere. Rather than letting us be divided through our differences, perhaps we should focus on the similarities and realise we are the same.

One people!

We do not hold the same beliefs, neither should we, but we have the same needs of love, compassion, respect, companionship and understanding. Rather than letting hatred succeed through division, let us unite in respect we are all differently the same.

Sometimes feelings have nothing to do with these situations at all, it can simply be we are so wrapped up in our own lives and concerns, we cannot see through the privets. Either way if we see a neighbour struggling or we are, maybe we can help each other.

Conclusion

In conclusion, even at our darkest times, there is a shining light. Services run by love and community spirit, to support people when we are down. Sometimes we do not want to ask for help because it is embarrassing and the idea of troubling others brings us further down; but try not to worry. At the end of the day, we are human and help is there should you ask. If it is advice, feel free to ask, a friend, someone to chat to, join hands and have a good natter. If you need a service, just reach out.

It can be lonely and hard living in this cold, concrete world, but we are neighbours, therefore before you sink, join your community and see we are in it together!

Hello! Thank you so much so much for blessing me with your time to read my writing!

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