Tonglen and finding connection

I've been listening to Pema talk about being grateful to everyone and she spends a lot of time discussin how disconnected we often are. How we are constantly surrounded by people yet are indifferent to them. No love, no compassion, no connection with our shared humanity. I feel this way often. There are so many people on this earth and we are all part of of the same flow an energy, yet it's so easy to fall into me vs them and opposition. Fear that they make take what I want or need or jealousy over something they have. I can be so closed and protective of myself. But why? Do I have any evidence that this actually works to protect me. No. Habitual I suppose and a habit I want to break. Tonglen is helpful in that it allows me connection, even if only in my head and heart. The next step is to make the effort to reach out, open up and connect. I always enjoy this when I am brave enough. When I let down the walls and make let people in. People just want to be happy and safe like I do. Nothing to fear. Right now I'm doing Tonglen for all those poor tourists like me who are cooked to a crisp and in sunburn agony, I'm sending out aloe Vera.