The account of 38years old Joyce Vincent who died of an asthma attack or complication from peptic ulcer in her north London flat in December 2003 with her television left on and her bills getting auto deducted from her bank account for several months before her death was discovered in January 2006 is one disheartening story out of many similar cases of prolonged solitary lifestyles and total disconnection with the rest of humanity.
For that duration of time, it is very obvious that nobody checked on her probably she completely shut herself out of the reach of everybody - relatives, friends, admirers, co-workers and neighbours. Though what actually caused her disconnection is still unknown but no matter what, it shouldn't be that bad to the extent that she died unnoticed to everyone (including her immediate neighbours) for more than 24months.
After reading her story for the first time on Facebook Wall of Susan Olofu, I proceeded to read more about her on Wikipedia and other sources on internet. In all, everything about her life and demise further established the fact that person-to-person contact and communication should not be downplayed (or ruled out).
Therefore, irrespective of your challenges or hurts from past relationships, bitter experiences and maltreatment from anyone; refrain from total isolation of yourself in a bid to be shielded from possible human cruelty. Because some people have proven unworthy to pitch your tent with is not enough to give up on all others. The misdeeds of only a person or some persons shouldn't make you disconnect with everyone else.
Deliberately initiate, build and maintain healthy relationships with your relatives (both immediate and extended), neighbours, schoolmates, students/trainees, teachers/trainers, faith members, co-workers, superiors/colleagues/subordinates, clients, group/union/association members etc. Never lose touch with everybody. Everybody is not difficult, wicked, insensitive, unreasonable, unreachable and inaccessible.
Be valuable, understandable and accessible for right people and maintain good contact with them in order to watch over one another. We are made to coexist not 'soloexist' for association not isolation. To rightly connect, communicate, cooperate, congregate, comfort, collaborate, compliment, cheer, celebrate and complete one another.
At least, let there be someone checking on you that you always check on too. If you live without anyone knowing that you are living, you may be dieing without anyone knowing that you are dieing and you may die without anyone noticing that you are dead. Never leave this world without anyone knowing that you have left.
Although, you were created and birthed alone but you are not supposed to do life all alone. It is a great deservice to shut yourself out of the reach of others and to shut others out of your own reach. Healthy relationships and good contacts with well-meaning people have a way of promoting happiness, shared opportunities, good health, peace, ease, sanity, resourcefulness, safety, security, prosperity and long life. Get in touch and stay in touch with the right people.
©20/03/2022.
_Stephen Olamilekan Jimoh
Advance Everyday
...living life at best
