So many of us have responded to Elmo the Muppet, who recently asked “How’s everybody doing?” on twitter/X in a post that went viral. We are not OK. There is, however, one possible goo gone remover for the anxiety, fear, and isolation that have stuck like old gum to this sole — “Talking to strangers might make you happier, a study on ‘relational diversity’ finds.” The study measured “relationship categories, or how many kinds of people you interact with in a day.” The close link between happiness and a diversity of daily contacts holds true in a large sample across many countries.
I’ve found that canvassing, going door-to-door to chat with voters, works wonders, too. It’s been my antidote to concerns about whether we’re up for the challenges of climate and the fragility of our communities and democracy. Many people don’t open their doors because of the myriad scam warnings on Nextdoor and Facebook, but what’s amazing is the number of people who do open up. It’s an act of faith and trust and no small miracle. Even if all they offer is a hurried “thank you,” I wonder if they’re the ones I could count on if I were ever a neighbor in need. There are, too, the unexpected connections, a shared interest or value, and the world feels suddenly closer knit, like a sweater. The baby might be crying, dinner might be about to burn on the stove, “I can’t talk,” some might say at first, but people will talk for a few moments more.
Is there a civic superpower in the willingness to open the door and take a risk? Are such people more likely to help mend a social fabric and net that seem to be fraying, no matter their politics? I believe so, I can feel it. If you want to find faith and belief in our democracy, in conversation with others who yearn for the same, try volunteering as a canvasser. Thank you, especially, to all who vote and who have ever taken the time to speak with a canvasser. You open the door to so much more than you realize.
