In a digital-driven world of tragedy, human connections matter most I don't know if you watched “Friends,” but for my age group it was a staple of our weekly TV lineup. The iconic group of friends — living in the same building, drinking coffee together, sharing life together. Wow isn’t that what we all long for, Human connection?
Do you Hear what I Hear?
I, like many of you and many across the country, was deeply saddened to hear of Matthew Perry's passing. I was making dinner when my husband hollered to me from the couch, "Matthew Perry died?” I shouted loudly, "NO!" And I think I dropped the spaghetti sauce spatula! Some of you may have had the same reaction.
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This got me thinking about human connection and the absolute heaviness of our society these days. I heard a speaker say months ago, our hearts and minds were not made to hear and absorb as much stress and trauma as we do these days.
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Sarah Coates, M.Ed, LCMHC, NCC
EVEN IF you have found a way to avoid the news cycle, you still hear about all the tragedies happening every day or every week in your community, state, country, and yes, even abroad. We literally cannot escape it. The minute-by-minute devastations across the globe are thrusted into our purview every single day. This person shot in Minnesota. That mass shooting in Maine. That carjacking in Knightdale. That 158-car pile up in Louisiana. The list goes on.
Clayton Audiology offers comprehension diagnos c evalua ons for hearing, nnitus, and auditory processing concerns. We work closely with our pa ents to provide a personalized treatment plan.
I agree, humanity was never supposed to know about every single tragedy happening minute by minute. And yet these nifty devices in our hands alert us to those daily. Wow. And we wonder why our neighbors, coworkers, family members and even ourselves — feel overly anxious, edgy and uncertain. ▸ Caption: From left, Sam (Sarah) Bullock and Sydney Mancini.
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May we follow in His foosteps and spread His love to all! Merry Christmas!
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Smithfield-Selma High students earn National Merit Scholarship recognition Submitted by SmithfieldSelma High School
SMITHFIELD — Crystal Gregory, Smithfield-Selma High School principal, announced recently that Sarah Bullock and Sydney Mancini have been named Commended Students in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2024 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards,
Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2024 competition by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. “Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” a NMSC release said. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
I think the only answer to managing all that angst is HUMAN connection. Surely we have our differences: lived experience, religion, politics, the way we parent, how we love, etc. But we are all created the same. All created equal. Which means a lot in how ALIKE we humans really are. I believe we must strive now more than possibly ever, to connect with other humans intentionally and with fierce love. Fierce Grace even. It's so easy for us to hole up in our small bubbles with OUR people and not engage with others who might appear different than us. That's easy. That's maybe comforting. But it's not truly connecting. We have got to reach across the "table" and connect. I think it's the only way to surf this tide that feels like it's crushing humanity. The "Friends" gathered daily to sip coffee, tell jokes and share life together. Maybe we can replicate that somehow in our communities, but on a larger scale. Connect. Fill up your cup. Fill up someone else's.
919-772-1990 (p) 919-772-1978 (f) GARNER • CLAYTON • CARY • RALEIGH • HOLLY SPRINGS • WILMINGTON [ December 2023 ] • 21
