by Scarlett Lewis, Chief Movement Officer, Choose Love Movement
I am so honored to announce Dr. Vivek Murthy, former U.S. Surgeon General, will be joining our Choose Love Movement™’s fundraiser, Hearts Open Wide Summit, on June 28th. We have a common mantra, Choose Love Over Fear.
Dr. Murthy has consistently highlighted the epidemic of loneliness, disconnection, and fear in America. In his NY Times bestselling book, ‘Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World,’ he highlights that chronic loneliness is a public health crisis—comparable to smoking—and undermines mental and physical health. He emphasizes that love, compassion, vulnerability, and community are not just emotional ideals but foundational to healing.
Humans are social creatures. In this simple and obvious fact lies both the problem and the solution to the current crisis of loneliness. Dr. Murthy makes a case for loneliness as a public health concern, a root cause and contributor to many of the epidemics sweeping the world today including addiction, violence, depression, and anxiety. Loneliness also affects how our children experience school, how we perform in the workplace, and the sense of division and polarization in our society.
However, at the center of our loneliness is our innate desire to connect. We have evolved to participate in community, to forge lasting bonds with others, to help one another, and to share life experiences. We are, simply, better together.
Our discussion will be a call for community building to equip parents, educators, children, and community leaders with the tools to foster resilience and compassion. We will discuss how courage, compassion, and community can combat fear, loneliness and isolation.
Please join us as we explore how Choosing Love over fear can transform our lives, our relationships, and our communities. Celebrate the power of courage, connection, and compassion in honor of what would have been Jesse Lewis’s 19th birthday.
#chooselove
