With so much going on in today’s world, and since the COVID-19 pandemic, I feel it’s fair to say that we are lacking connection both as a society and as individuals.
This is why I’ve decided to make 2024 a year of connection.
Connection is a Bridge
In my experience, I have found that connection is an important bridge that links us to the world around us and to each other.
Through our connections with others, we can learn new things and appreciate new perspectives. It is also our connection with others that reminds us we are not alone. There are so many others out there who are experiencing the same things we are experiencing.
Connection with the world around us includes our ability to connect with nature, connect with our life’s purpose, and connect with something or someone that is greater than ourselves.
When focusing on connection, we can also learn how to better connect with ourselves and truly appreciate and love the person that we are.
As I’ve recognized the value of connection in my life, I have become more intentional about connecting with the people and the world around me.
The Importance of Connection
There are so many benefits that come from connection.
If you need a little more emotional resilience in your life, try focusing on connection.
When we share our joys with others, they seem to multiply. When we share our sorrows, they somehow become bearable.
Emotional resilience is rooted in connection. The more we connect and share both our triumphs and our tribulations with others, the more emotional resilience we have.
Connection is also the antidote to loneliness. As humans, we are inherently social creatures, and we need other humans.
Without meaningful connections, we can feel isolated and lonely. But connecting with others can improve your mental health, reduce anxiety, and help us to have a greater sense of purpose.
Connection can also help your physical health. Research has shown that people who have strong social connections live longer, have lower levels of stress, and have a lower risk of chronic illness.
Strategies for Connecting with Others
There are many ways we can connect with those around us.
We can start in our home and personal relationships by prioritizing quality time with those we love.
If we invest our time and effort into nurturing meaningful connections with our loved ones, we can deepen and strengthen those relationships.
Active listening is another important skill to develop when it comes to connecting with others.
Whether you are in personal conversations or professional meetings, being fully present and actively engaged in the conversation helps to create a stronger connection.
It’s equally important to share your thoughts, feelings, and vulnerabilities with those who you trust.
This kind of connection helps to create an open and honest relationship that is centered on non-judgment and authenticity.
Both authenticity and non-judgment are essential for real connection to take place.
We have to let go of our preconceived ideas of who someone is and simply accept them for who they are.
If we can do this, our relationships with others can become truly beautiful and maybe even life-changing.
Strategies for Connecting with Ourselves
You may not think that connection includes connecting with yourself, but it really does.
I have spent my whole speaking career trying to teach people how to love themselves and to see themselves as valuable and important.
Too often, we look in the mirror, and we despise the person we see looking back at us.
I honestly believe that if we nurture our connection with ourselves, we will be better able to see the good in ourselves.
Just as connecting with others allows us to see them in a more positive light, connecting with ourselves will do the exact same thing.
There are many different things we can do to create a better connection with ourselves.
For me, I like to do what I call mirror moments. While looking at myself in the mirror, I focus on three positive things I like about myself and say them out loud.
I also like to create I AM statements to use as positive affirmations to help jumpstart my day.
For example, “I am strong, “I am capable,” “I am enough.”
These mirror moments and affirmations are a great way to strengthen your connection to who you are and what you desire out of life.
Connecting with Something Greater Than Ourselves
For me, an important part of connection is connecting to my purpose.
Tikkun Olam has always been an important concept to me. It’s all about healing the world and making the world a better place for the human race.
This is an important part of who I am. The more I connect to my purpose, the greater desire I have to make a difference in the world.
Not only do I want to be the good in the world, but I want to do good for the world.
Remembering this has helped me to keep moving forward in my goals even when things aren’t always easy.
Connecting with our purpose is a powerful way to help us move forward when life gets hard.
Knowing our purpose and having a deep connection with it can become a powerful motivator when we want to quit.
It helps us to remember that we are a part of something much greater than ourselves and that there are people we can help with our message.
Connection Ties People Together
Connection is the thread that weaves everyone together.
The more we connect with others and the world around us, the more grounded and resilient we will become.
Whatever happens this year, I hope that through connection, we will be able to find greater hope and peace.
Brené Brown defines connection as “the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”
It is my hope that we can derive sustenance and strength this year from the connections that we make—connection with others, connection with ourselves, and connection with our purpose.
And with that energy that we create through connection, let’s change the world.
