Antidote to despair

How are you feeling about life in general at this present time in our history?

That’s a question I’d like to ask about a hundred people who are at my stage of life, late 70’s. I’d like to do this for no reason other than to see whether I’m the only one who is gravely concerned over the path much of the world seems to be heading down. You wouldn’t think it would be hard to do a survey of people like that, but I’m not so sure.

Speaking for myself, and if asked, I’d be very reluctant to say how I honestly feel about most things today. We now live in a world where it’s so easy to offend someone, and we have to be so careful about what we say or do, we now live in times where people can find themselves before the courts simply for saying or doing something that once would have been considered as unfortunate, regrettable or just poor judgement, but certainly not bad enough to warrant having the law come down on them.

My reason for feeling this way is that where once if you asked a group of people about a certain issue or topic, you’d often get a variety of two or three views. Today it seems, ask that same group about an issue and you’re likely to get ten or more different views. What once seemed like simple black and white issues are today riddled with a variety of conflicting viewpoints. Without going into a lot of detail - today’s gender issues, all things related to climate change, workplace practices, how we regard and treat other people, and how we want to regard our Country and culture are all examples of issues where opinions are very varied and divided. Who would have ever thought we’d be so divided, confused or conflicted over something so basic as to what is a man and what is a woman?

Having said that, my purpose here is not to focus on or debate the various issues I’ve eluded to, but rather to think about how I, and others who may be feeling the way I do, should go about trying to avoid falling into despair or worse while trying to live and cope with them.

A conversation I had with two elderly ladies recently may give us a clue to one positive way forward.

The conversation started when I asked these ladies how they were feeling about life in general right now. Both shared quite openly how they felt Australia today was not the Australia we had all come to love and want. It soon became very obvious, and without too much elaboration, that these two ladies were saddened by the way things are going but both said despite this, we mustn’t despair, and we must make the most of every opportunity. They then went on to talk about the different things they each did to stay on top of things and not let any negative thoughts get the better of them. Interestingly, where they both get the most of their satisfaction now is exactly where I get mine, from helping and serving others.

Both ladies then shared the type of things they each did in this area, such as regularly keeping in touch or visiting people they knew who had to contend with isolation, loneliness or confinement. One also volunteered to help an organisation that supports victims of domestic violence, homelessness and the like.

I also heard this from someone else who works with the elderly recently. “They claim 60% of old people are lonely. Truth is 100% are lonely." That may not be factually correct, but given what I’m coming to understand, it’s probably more right than wrong. People contact that provides love, encouragement, caring, friendship etc. should NEVER be under-estimated.

There is a lot more I could say on this but I’m sure you get the picture.

Let me leave you with this –

I titled this column “Antidote to despair”. I genuinely believe that the more focused we are on doing for others, rather than for ourselves, the happier, healthier and more contented we’ll be.

For those who value Bible wisdom, let me remind you of this from Proverbs 11:25 – “They who refresh others will themself be refreshed”.

Cheers and go well!

Bob (Holland)

24th August, 2025

Feel free to send me some feedback or comments anytime contact@thecheerfulgiver.com.au