“No man is an island”, so the saying goes. And it’s true. As human beings we don’t live in isolation. We’re connected to others through our work, sport, church participation, clubs or community activities. We also have personal connections through family ties, friendships old and new, work colleagues, and neighbours. Having connections with others is important for our health and wellbeing. Togetherness strengthens us. It brings comfort. Health-bringing connections promote individual and collective happiness.
WHAT ARE HEALTH-BRINGING CONNECTIONS?
Health-bringing connections are wonderfully varied. They can be pleasant conversations, a friendly smile, a warm handshake, an expression of gratitude, a listening ear, or a common interest. Connectedness to others can also include simple acts of kindness, giving help, sharing ideas, offering or receiving words of praise.
WHY BE CONNECTED TO OTHERS?
Most of us have an instinctive need to be connected to others. This sense of being linked, helps us to thrive and prosper. It counters the feeling that we’re alone and have to manage everything in life on our own. Through our connectedness to those around us, we can receive love, encouragement, help and caring support. We can also pass these along. Being connected to others is worth our best efforts. So here are five can-do tips for you to take-up.
FIVE CAN-DO TIPS:
- Strengthen your connections with others by bringing out the best in people around you. Reassure them that they’re doing well. Such encouragement will lift their spirits, and yours, and cement the ties of friendship and camaraderie.
- Take the lead with others. Don’t wait for them to be friendly. Show them how it’s done. Be approachable, pleasant, warm and welcoming to everyone you come in contact with. Friendship is an active connection. “The man that has friends must show himself to be a friend”. Bible. Proverbs 18:24
- Fortify the bond of connectedness. Allow yourself to join hands with people in unity, friendship, understanding and cooperation. “Unselfish ambition, noble life-motives, and purity, — these constituents of thought, mingling, constitute individually and collectively true happiness, strength, and permanence.” Mary Baker Eddy. Science and Health p.58
- Be inclusive of others. Don’t let someone’s race, appearance, politics or religion drive a wedge in your thinking and alienate you from them. Instead, strive to “be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tender-hearted, and keep a humble attitude.” Bible. 1 Peter 3:8
- Be socially reinvigorated. Don’t allow yourself to become disconnected or estranged from others. There’s an ever-present divine Love that cares for you, and everyone. That tender Love gives you the courage to repair a broken friendship, renew an old connection, establish a new one, and again have the joy of being connected to others.
ABOUT THE EXPERT:
Beverly Goldsmith writes about the connection between spirituality and health and is a Practitioner and Teacher of Christian Science healing. Twitter: @GoldsmithBev
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