This is part of a series shared ecumenically with members to whom I was assigned; the goal was to start conversation and deep thought, and many of these messages led to great conversations.
Loneliness - 2-Man Lift
Original Publication Date: 3 October 2024
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in 2023 that we are facing an epidemic of loneliness, finding that 33% of Americans feel lonely, and 25% of Americans have little to no Social or Emotional Support. They recently reiterated these statistics for 2024. The CDC seems to be an odd place for such a declaration to be made, since their lane is not loneliness and community, but the reason they are so concerned is because they found serious health ramifications stemming from social isolation and loneliness, to include decreased physical health, greater mental health challenges, increased risk of suicide, and shortened life expectancy. The see the danger, but how do we fix it?
As maintainers, we know that there are things on the aircraft that we can’t lift ourselves. I recently watched an engine-swap on a CV-22 and was impressed by half-a-dozen (or so) maintainers working seamlessly together to accomplish the task. If one person tried to accomplish a job alone which is designed for a team they are likely to fail, hurt themselves trying, or take considerably longer and be less effective than if they had support. Nobody is impressed by someone trying to lift something unliftable, rather there is great strength in recognizing that we need others to help lift (or even a crane/forklift/jammer/hoist, etc.) and asking for that help.
As maintainers, we know how to ask for help to lift physical weight—and 2-Man Lifts—but we often forget about the spiritual/non-tangible weights we are carrying. From a spiritual side I want to ask if you are in that 33% of people who feel lonely, or 25% who are extremely lonely? Statistics say that some of you are, and there is no shame in recognizing it. I noticed a meme go viral that addressed this problem in the circles I run it when it said, “Nobody talks about the miracle of Jesus having 12 close friends in his thirties” and that resonates with a lot of people, including me. How can we move towards healthy relationships and less loneliness, both for our sake and the sake of those around us?
Community is a powerful tool in combatting loneliness. Joining a car/motorcycle club, a religious organization, a private-organization on base, a book club, a gaming community, or just talking to people at work can do wonders for building our community. If you were going to join a community today, which one would it be? Maybe look them up when you’re done reading this e-mail. If you couldn’t think of one, why not ask your chaplain? Or Friend? Or Coworker? Or Supervisor? Or Chief? Or Commander? Or anybody? There is something out there for everyone, and a place where your interests and expertise can fight the loneliness someone is facing.
An old Scandinavian quote says, “A burden shared is a burden halved, a joy shared is a joy doubled.” Without someone to share with, we’re left doing the heavy lifting by ourselves, and we don’t want that weight to crush us! Isn’t less loneliness and more joy something we’d all like?
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