Loneliness: a treatable condition
A barista at a popular Moorpark coffee shop recently served a customer and his little boy. The dad ordered coffee for himself and a small hot chocolate for his 7year-old.

After noticing that the dad had promptly begun a "grownup" conversation with another customer, the barista invited the little boy to watch her wash the dishes. "That way I won't be lonely," she said.

"I'm always lonely," the little boy responded. His answer would break the heart of anyone listening.

In the words of Jimi Hendrix, "Loneliness is such a drag."

Feeling isolated can depress the sufferer and make the world seem foreboding. It's a feeling we've all had. Loneliness hurts.

Children experience a constant whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. A secure daily routine reinforces positive behavior and healthy emotional development. A home where family members sit down together to eat dinner and share the experiences of their day has been shown to create strong family bonds.

The more time parents spend interacting with their children, reading with them and helping them develop a strong moral compass, the greater the payoff when the kids leave home and make their own decisions. Leaving kids with only a television or video games to keep them company is a cop-out. Children who have no guidance or little parental direction are known to have more emotional problems and are more apt to become antisocial or even mentally disturbed.

Senior citizens, another group often left to their own devices, may also experience frequent pangs of loneliness. Take a minute to pick up the phone and check in on an elderly friend. When passing a senior in a store, look him in the eye, make a connection, and say something that shows interest in him. These small, thoughtful acts can make someone's day.

Loneliness is a treatable condition as long as each of us is willing to do something about it. The more we get outside ourselves and do something to share the grace of our existence and help others in some positive way- family members, friends and strangers- the better off this world will be.