Just been to Poland and Russia. If the world in which you live allows you to have a clear free mind how much can you expand your thoughts and feel the joy. You can connect to others thru that feeling and they can pass it on. If your world is limited by government control in all areas for generations how does that affect the individual? After bleakness and grey for years it has to soak into the personality.
Few people smiled or were interested in strangers. In fact it was the reverse. Someone different was regarded with superstition. People kept to themselves and went about their business with their heads down. They tried to help you in shops but only if you followed the rules. No laughter was heard.
After losing all connection to life is it possible to regain it?
We saw a group of women in a church with their heads covered, kissing the bones of a saint to try and retrieve some hope. But the real truth is your hope is within you and you just have to look within to retrieve it. You don't need to stand in line behind thousands to try to rekindle a small ember. You possess the fire. Let yourself glow.