Who is your Purple?

Stop what you are doing and let them know.

By Chuck Warren

According to recent data, a significant number of people are feeling more anxious, lonely... frankly just blah. In reality, none of us needed a study to tell us that fact. A friend who is a hair stylist says lately you can just feel the weight of people as they sit in her chair.

If you are not feeling that way, you certainly know family members, work colleagues and friends who are. As a result, their anxiety or fears end up transferring to those close to them including us. It is a vicious cycle.

A friend recently brought to my attention a meme "who is your purple?"

For those who do not know, this "purple" question originated from a viral trend on social media. "Your purple" describes a person who has had a positive impact on your life. This can be a friend, romantic partner, neighbor, mentor or family member. It can be anyone who has made your life better. Who has given you hope, given you a second wind and helped you see better days ahead.

Maybe it is time to let those "purple" heroes know what they have done for you.

I suggest this for two reasons:

1. Your Purple Hero. In Galatians 6:9 "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NLT). Even your purple heroes can get tired. They need to hear a "thank you." Because they are human, sometimes their cup needs to be refilled. By the way, a little etiquette tip: a text is the bare minimum. Write them a letter, tell them over lunch. Put effort into it because they put effort into you.

2. Can Change Perspective. If your “purple" has stepped forward and had a positive impact on your life, expressing that will cause all of us to step back and realize there are good things happening in our life. Maybe our anxiety and loneliness will lessen some because we realize there are those who believe in us, care about our welfare and what the future holds for us. How can that not lessen our anxiety?

When my daughter was younger, as a corny dad, I gave her a wooden sign with a quote from Winnie the Pooh that read, "You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

Your "purples" believe that about you.

Note: the opinions expressed herein are those of Chuck Warren only and not his co-host Sam Stone or Breaking Battlegrounds’ staff.