Published to Newsletter on Oct 03, 2023
Tracey Briggs, MA
Health Ed. Consultant
“Social connection can be a proactive approach to living a fulfilled and happy life...”—US Surgeon General Vivek Murphy
Much of our human existence is rooted in the bond we have to others. Think of your community, the people you surround yourself with. What do those relationships bring to you and what do you provide to them?
I believe that the pandemic tilted our scales somewhat and we are just realizing an overdue need to engage with each other. Like the chrysalis, we are finally feeling liberated and finding our beautiful wings, but something is still a bit off. The events of our recent past… sexual harassment, mass shootings, police violence, LGBTQIA+ hate crimes, social injustice, cruelty in every form to all walks of our society have kept us distant and in an empathy deficit.
With everything we do, we should strive to have a balance, the yin and yang in life. A cooperation of energy, altruism and kindness, to and from people, is what we must exhibit in order to find equilibrium, attachment, affection and companionship. Empathy allows us to genuinely care about the mutual wellbeing of all human beings that inhabit our Earth.
Social connection is the authentic connection that challenges the health detriment of social isolation. So how do we use social intelligence and connection to be Better Angels of Our Nature? It comes down to one phrase that I used to say to my three young children as I was trying to instill and model empathy, kindness and a sense of servitude to others, “treat others as you would like to be treated.”
Take a moment to pause and look inward. Challenge yourself to focus on one or two of these personal attributes to improve the strength of your social connection to your colleagues, friends, and family.
Do you exude:
We all wear life’s battle scars, but we can strive to create positive relationships that provide a sense of social belonging. These connections can contribute to a greater sense of happiness and reward. And if you are wanting a bit more “community” and strategies to manage stressors, look no further. Consider participating in the Level Up Expo, and registering for the 6-week course “The Gift of Holiday Positivity,” both coming in October.
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