The You're Not Alone Chronicles

Do not suffer in silence. Somebody somewhere is willing
and prepared to help in any way to encourage, empower, and support you.
Germany Kent

by Skip Cohen

As always on Sunday, I refrain from writing about business or marketing and strive to cover a topic that everyone can relate to. It's my time to share something more personal, and in the process, over the years, it's become therapeutic.

Four months ago, I wrote my first blog post for the Alzheimer's Organization's Florida newsletter. Going through this horrible disease for three generations of grandmothers, I wanted to give back to a community that was always there for us. Here's the link to the four posts as of today, and hopefully, my next installment will be coming in October.

Even though in 2025 there are an estimated 7.2 million people with Alzheimer's in the US and 55 million worldwide, when you're fighting the battle you feel so alone. So, I called the series The You're Not Alone Chronicles.

But as I sat down to write today's post, it occurred to me that feeling alone is universal to so many of our frustrations. I was thinking about the challenges and the state of the world right now. The reality is, with whatever challenges any of us face, we're only alone if we choose to be. Pick the toughest, most frustrating thing you're feeling right now, and if there isn't already a formal support group out there, you'll always find friends who can relate to what you're going through.

But here's my point - you're only alone if you choose silence. Over the years, from personal issues to business challenges, social media has become the mortar that often holds us all together. So whether you're fighting Alzheimer's personally or as a caregiver, frustrated over politics, worried about financial, health, or relationship issues, dealing with the death of your dog, or a thousand other challenges, there are people ready to come to your aid, the minute you say, "Help!"

Wishing you a day ahead that's filled with reminders of all the support you have around you. You're truly not alone in anything, unless you let pride get in the way. Those people ready to give and receive an eleven-second hug are there, but nobody's a mindreader. You have to share the love and ask for help, even if it's just for a friend to be a sounding board and get you through the storm.

​Happy Sunday...or Monday, on the other side of the world.

However, if you find you can’t help yourself, there’s no shame in asking others for help.
Sometimes asking for help is just as heroic as giving it.
There are treatments and therapies and counselors that you could benefit from--
but no one finds answers if they’re too afraid to ask the questions.
Don’t let your pride tell you otherwise.
Chris Colfer