Connectedness – The thought of being connected to others, including loved ones and those who we would like to know better, gives purpose and meaning to our lives. It’s a mission, a goal, and a worthy challenge for us to pursue connection with others. When we find that connection, we feel safe, loved, and part of a bigger world. Think about your deepest connections with others and you will experience a peace and joy that is almost unexplainable. It’s warm and fuzzy and safe to think about the love that we receive from others through connectedness.
Okay, so why do we often feel alone and disconnected in our daily walk. Is it that nobody really cares about us? Or is it possibly something that is within us?
Sociologists will suggest that finding connectedness is not so easy. If we closely monitor our daily thoughts, we might hear: “I’m not good enough, smart enough, nice enough, attractive enough” or any number of other self-defeating suggestions that serve only to distance ourselves from others.
We know that connection with others makes life worth living, but we still have those negative thoughts. We also know that nobody is perfect and that we should not judge or compare ourselves to others but we do it anyway.
So is there a way to find this connection with others even though we are imperfect, broken, recovering, searching people?
The answer to that question is a resounding YES!
Research indicates that we have the power to change our disconnection to connection, isolation to community, and exclusion to belonging by learning one new habit. This sounds simple, doesn’t it? Well, it is simple, but it’s also one of the most difficult things you will ever do.
The habit is learning and practicing vulnerability. To many people, this is a scary word.
Merriam-Webster defines vulnerability as:
: easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally
: open to attack, harm, or damage
So why would we consider practicing vulnerability when it is clearly something that opens us to hurt, harm, or damage? Surely, this can’t be right.
Well, as it turns out, when we learn to become open, honest, and yes – vulnerable to others (and ourselves), we open the door for deeper connections. We become the person who steps out into the unknown, risking ourselves for a cause that stirs our souls. We say “I love you” first without knowing what will happen. We take risks because we deeply feel that it is the right thing to do. When we are brutally honest with ourselves, we can embrace our strengths with the understanding that we are not super-human, but we do have value and a contribution to make in this world.
So be courageous, exercise your vulnerability, and invite love and connection into your life today. It is never too late.
Regards,
Lee (and the LifeSuccess.com team)
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