Abraham Lincoln died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865. Telegraph operators immediately began sending news of his death to major cities, and by the afternoon church bells were ringing while newspapers printed special editions. Getting the message to several western states took a week.

Today, we can call anyone, almost anywhere with ease. We are living in the most connected world in history. But are we really connected?

Multiple surveys show that half of adults in America are feeling isolated and alone. The longer term effects of this are depression, anxiety, heart disease and an earlier mortality. But it can be reversed. There is no need to create an AI bot.

Joining a community group, volunteering, or engaging in conversations with friends and family is a great place to begin. Not only will your quality of life improve, but so will your overall health. Take the first step toward a healthier and more fulfilling life.

I can only imagine how many times the telegraph operators had to confirm the message that the president was dead. It must have been chaotic, not to mention the emotion the sender must have felt. We live in a faster time. Remember to slow down a little and get connected…