Musings on Everyday Life and living

HUMAN CONNECTIONS / GIVING A HELPING HAND / LISTENING/ AG ÉISTEACHT

Musings on life in August 2026

 I am a member of Wordsmiths writing group Gorey. We were given this writing prompt; “I wonder how many people I’ve looked at all my life and never seen”, John Steinbeck

Put more simply we could say, “How many people have I passed through my life without me ever taking the time to understand who they really were?”

This Steinbeck's quote was a challenge.  Instead of making quick judgments, we should approach people with curiosity and compassion. We may never know exactly what troubles people have, but we can always choose kindness, like a smile, a conversation, or simply taking the time to listen can remind someone that they matter.

 I was in hospital some time ago and while there I met some people who were seriously ill, a few of whom have since died. It is a real wake up call for me reminding me to watch health issues, weight, diet, exercise, relaxation and to get adequate sleep and rest.

This period of my life, and my hospital experience, as I approach 80 years on planet earth, focussed my attention on the people I meet every day at home, during my walks in the woods and on the beach, while shopping, or just simply strolling round town.

I might just look at them, salute them and move on, never thinking about their health, what stresses or complaints they might have to cope with or what type of life circumstances they have.

Occasionally I might stop and chat with someone if I know them. It’s all very polite. We smile politely at one another and when asked how we are feeling we generally say fine even when we may not be.

I met a good friend of mine recently. I knew she was having chemo, but when I asked her how she was she said that she was feeling good. I suppose we all wear a protective mask and are not too interested in revealing our inner self and feelings to anyone except our core family members and close intimate circle of friends.

For myself I am a firm believer in sharing your troubles. It is good relief for body, soul and mind. As my late father often said” A trouble shared is a trouble halved”

I clearly remember all those lovely caring messages taught to me during my primary and secondary school days, and I often used them during my own teaching career. They were messages many parents use “Sharing is caring”, sharing what you have with others—such as food, toys, time, knowledge, or kindness.  I love this one        ‘A little kindness goes a long way’   or being biblical, “As you would that men [people] should do to you do you also to them in like manner”.

We automatically notice externals like nice outfits or nice hairdos and cheery smiles. We are sometimes not as quick to notice depression or people’s inability to cope with life, debt and family illness. They are difficult feelings to share and solve.

I remember sitting in a waiting in a room in Wexford Hospital recently for the results of a personal scope and some tissue testing. I must admit that I was quite nervous as I sat there waiting to be called. I was very relieved when the consultant came in and gave me an all clear result. I came out smiling and very relieved that I was back on track for living a normal life again for another while.

As I walked along the corridor of the clinic a husband and wife came out of another meeting room having met with their consultant. They were both crying and it was obvious that they had not received good news. I just thought what great personal courage it takes to get up out of bed the following morning after getting bad health news and getting on with your daily life and routines

It is difficult to face a new day if you have lost a loved one, have continuing bad health issues, lost a job,have crippling debts, searching for a bed for a night’s sleep.

People struggle every day of the week to pay the rent, electricity bills, home heating bills or putting food on the table. They are major personal causes of stress.

Many people are stressed trying to keep cars on the road and can’t afford to get them repaired, pay the tax and insurance or put fuel in the tank to get them to work, the shops or bring their children to school and social activities. This is the reality of life for a lot of families in Ireland of 2026, and it appears to be worsening with climate change and wars around the world coupled with rising energy costs causing scarcities and sharp increases in food and general prices

These are heavy burdens to carry, and people are tired looking, get distracted and irritable in their daily interactions with friends and families This is a major cause for relationship battles and struggles fought out behind closed doors every day of the year.

Older people struggle too with loneliness and coping issues. Some of them head for churches and community centres for comfort, heat and to meet and converse with people. Others head for libraries and galleries to socialise and get heat and companionship during winter months

I think, as I grow older, I am more cognisant of the situation where it is important to react properly with the people around me, drop the masks and really see them with all their aches, pains, faults and failings, fears, hopes, struggles and dreams. I think if we are all real with one another the world will be a better kinder place to live. We must be aware that everyone’s life is a real story to tell. Let us all be better listeners and help create that environment where people can feel comfortable telling their story to others and get resolutions quickly in a caring concerned Ireland.

Whenever I am in Dublin late in the evening, I see people queuing for meals on wheels in Grafton Street and outside the GPO on O Connell Street. These people are arriving in ever growing numbers to get food and nutrition to help them survive. These scenes are replicated in towns all over the island of Ireland and they are sad sights of human misery that we all gloss over and tolerate.

Those of us who have homes, jobs, pensions and reasonable health and happiness can count ourselves lucky that we are not joining those queues.

We must all try to contribute whatever we can afford to the charities working to alleviate hardship in these areas as well as urging politicians to grant more financial assistance to those in our communities who are struggling to make ends meet.

We can all help to make Ireland a better more equitable place for all its people to co-exist in real homes in 2026 and beyond. The money is there. All we need is the will to spend it to improve the lives of people in need.

I will look at people I meet through a different more caring lens hence forth.

Mick O Callaghan

August 2026

*I got this lovely comment about "My Musings in August " piece from a folllower ;

Good morning, Mick

 I really liked your 'Musings in August', a most interesting reflection.

I was reminded of the words of St. Vincent de Paul:

 'Let us look beyond appearances and see treasure in every person, especially those who feel unseen'.

So, as we move through August, the first month of Autumn, we can set ourselves a simple challenge, look beyond the cover and remember that every person has a story and some are living through chapters we can barely imagine. Indeed, some of the hardest chapters are written in private.

We may never know how much a small moment of human connection may mean to someone who is finding life particularly difficult. Perhaps in taking the time to understand others we understand a little more about what it means to be human ourselves.Really do we know the story behind the person that we see. This reminds me not to judge by appearances. There is always more to a person than the cover suggests. Every person we meet is in some sense, a whole world we never fully discover. I suppose we don't have to figure out someone's whole story. We just must show up, be kind, and let them know they are seen.

Our challenge in the autumn of life is not simply to grow older, but to grow kinder. 

After all, the autumn of life can still be a season of great generosity. It gives us not only memories of the life we have lived but an opportunity to make the lives of others a little better and make someone's journey a little easier.

**THE NATURAL STORYTELLER, MY LATEST book IS NOW ON SALE AT  Kavanaghs Wexford Road, Arklow), Byrnes(Gorey), Myles Doyle (Gorey), Springmount Garden Centre, Partridges ,Gorey, Tara Vie Hotel (Courtown), Red Books (Wexford), and The Book Centre (Wexford). You can also purchase it online at www.theirishbookshop.com or directly from myself, priced fifteen euros.