Making Ends Meet & Keeping it Together!

As this cold weather snap hits, yet again March style, after a few beautiful days of blue skies and sunshine, the heart could plummet with disappointment at the thought of the heating bills and electricity continuing to peak while the cost of fuel increases! We are living in times where it might seem that everything one could wish for to make life easier is available to all as we see the crowds of people in retail and entertainment places. However, we don't see those who are not in those spaces as the struggle to provide the basics is the main occupation.

There are times when everyone struggles with some aspect of life and feels adrift from everyone else who walks past them on the street. It's part of the human condition! However, sometimes it feels too much to manage, to bear, to get by ... While the experience of everyone is unique, something of times of struggle which might be despair, depression, aloneness/loneliness, panic, anger, loss, etc hits everyone at some stage as no one is forever without their challenges. Therefore, empathy with a brother or sister among us who is struggling should be within everyone's capacity.

When struggling, a sense of panic or limitation of sight of possibilities can present like a high wall. Most of us cannot climb a high wall without standing on the shoulders or lived wisdom of others! If we have the shoulders to stand on, we might be led to find an unexpected gem that could bring us someplace safer and happier. Asking for help is difficult for most to do. Yet we all need help at some time if not many times.

Talking to someone could make all the difference to finding some solution to a problem. There are many people and organisations among us whose business and interest it is to listen to and accompany people to walk the path to some new hope. If whatever is sitting on one's heart or mind is upsetting or disturbing or causing loss of sleep or quality of life, it is something that really might benefit from sharing and talking about. Solutions are usually found in most unexpected people and ways. None of us is really alone, even when we feel that we are! For anyone who feels they are alone and struggling, or that life is very difficult right now, try to reach out and connect with someone or some organisation.

Cathy Burke
Catechist in the Lucan Partnership of Parishes