New Consciousness Review Fall 2015 | Page 16

INSPIRATION ARTICLE THE LONELINESS CURE: Six Strategies for Finding Real Connections in Your Life Kory Floyd, PhD EXCERPT Introduction T “Brother, Can You Spare a Hug?” hey say one man can make a difference. Evidently, so can “Juan Mann.” In January 2004, he left behind his life in London, England and returned to his home in Sydney, Australia. It was a lonely time for the 22-year-old bachelor. His parents had divorced, his grandmother had fallen ill, and he had recently ended a promising relationship with his fiancé. One night, feeling dejected and alone, he went to a party, hoping to cheer himself up. Sometime that evening, a complete stranger approached him and gave him a hug. That small gesture had a profound effect. “I felt like a king!” he recalls. “It was the greatest thing that ever happened.” His elation was fa