Contact.

Lately, out of the blue, it has started happening again. I thought I had seen the last of it.Sorrow for unclear, undefined reasons, and an overwhelming sense of panic and fear are tightening their grip on me once again.

I find life difficult at the best of times. This is just a part of who I am. When it is changing rapidly, or unusually busy and hectic, the added stress is more than enough to push me to my limit and beyond. I'm almost there.

I often blame our fast paced, modern society for the depression and anxiety so many of us seem to struggle with these days. I am sure that this is at least partly responsible. I wonder, however, was life really all that much simpler for common folks in past societies? For instance, did many pioneers run around, secretly suffering from panic attacks, but afraid to say so, for fear they would be burned as a witch or something? I wonder. I am convinced mental disorders were at least almost as prominent in past cultures and societies. People just did not talk about them.

I watched "Contact", the movie, starring Jody Foster, last night on t.v, and I wanted, with all my heart, to flee to this far away galaxy, where only compassion and beauty exist. I wanted to start fresh. I wanted to make new friends. I wanted to make "Contact." In the end, this is what I believe is the main problem in this society of ours. People find themselves too often isolated, and the vital sense of community we humans need to function our best is small to non-existant. When that alien being, using the form of her late father, for her comfort, told her his best advice, I related to it so readily, I wanted to jump through the screen and give him a hug.He told her that with all the wisdom of the ages, the only thing they have ever found to give them a sense of purpose, and to feel less alone, was to take comfort in each other. Then he sent her home. That was all he needed to tell her.This was the advice she had traveled thousand of light years from home to hear.Was it worth it? The answer will vary, based on the perspective of who you ask, but I believe that it was.Maybe, this is what we all sometimes need to hear.