Craving Connection
This week's post is all about social connection… I’m digging deep into this, exploring what it truly means, and ultimately, what it can bring to our lives…
“Connection Is Why We’re Here; It Is What Gives Purpose And Meaning To Our Lives”
Brené Brown
One of the scariest things to feel in this world is alone!
Connection is something we all want… we all need:
Connection with family
Connection through friendships
That deep, distinctive connection you get with a loved one
Connection within a community
Connection through shared experiences…
Connection is a way of feeling included… it’s that ultimate sense of belonging!
And it’s a basic human need; yet one we often don’t realise we possess.
What does connection bring?
It provides a sense of safety… comfort… purpose… security… fulfilment… joy…
And it comes in a multitude of forms:
Through conversation, or even unspoken understanding
A ‘sense’ that is undeniably felt, or through physical touch – a handshake, a high-five, a hand on your shoulder, a hug; a hug can say ‘I’m pleased to see you’, it can be a celebration of good news, a gesture of comfort and compassion, a tangible bolster of support…
Appreciating Connection
I’ve recently become so attentive to, and grateful for, connection!
Whether it’s physical, verbal, or just a ‘felt sense’.
It lifts me when I’m feeling low, supports me when I’m vulnerable, and lightens the load when everything feels so heavy…
I have some of the most incredible friends who are the greatest listeners, my personal cheerleaders, not to mention give the best hugs!
And Steve, who is always right beside me, unwaveringly supportive, can always make me laugh, and is heroically patient… and accepting… and forgiving…
He can just take my hand, or wrap me in an embrace which makes me feel as though I’m sheltered from the whole world for just a few moments ❤️
I have family who give me such an encompassing and grounding sense of love and support, even when words or actions aren’t necessary!
I also discovered a genuine and profound sense of connection with the others on my degree – it was an effortless, authentic sense of being connected to people who had experienced similar things, overcome similar challenges, who listened, empathised, shared, comforted, encouraged and took a genuine interest. They were all there, on that course, because THEY TRULY CARE about helping others.
I call them ‘my tribe’ because I felt completely welcomed and accepted into the group, and although our degree is now over, and we have all dispersed down different paths in life, that sense of connection is ongoing, and I will be forever grateful.
Why am I telling you all this?
Well, because connection can improve both our emotional and physical health!
It can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, increase our self-confidence and even assist our immune system!
But also… sometimes we just have to strip back the things we think are important or necessary in our lives, to unveil what’s at our very core… those smaller details which are engrained in our DNA, that give us genuine and indisputable contentment.
And if we can notice such things, and have an appreciation for them and the people in our lives, we discover a deeper sense of peace and happiness… THE EPITOME OF LIFE!
Why not take a minute to notice your connections and what they bring to your life 💞
CONNECTION FOR KIDS: THE INVISIBLE STRING by Patrice Karst
Finally, last week I was reminded of a beautiful book called “The Invisible String”, which is a lovely way of explaining this sense of connection to children, and how we are always connected with loved ones. A great resource for separation anxiety, grief, or just to enhance a child’s understanding of connection.
