Relationship and Connection

The start of a new year has made me think a lot about what is really important and especially about relationships and boundaries. The relationships that we build need to both challenge and enhance us – they need to make a difference. We seek support, companionship and understanding from others. Relationships work best when they are true and when the people in the relationship are able to be compassionate and honest.

I am currently reading another book by Richard Rohr called The Divine Dance and he says, “when you skim the edges of relationship, you submit to mystery and lose control”. When you agree to be part of someone else’s life, you learn grow and find yourself in the middle of something that challenges you in unexpected ways.

Rohr describes friendship as:
– entwined
– entrenched
– elusive
– messy
– enabling
– enrapturing
– maddening
– exhilarating
– frustrating
– exposing
and too beautiful for words.

• Human connection leads to a longer life span. When we are socially connected, we tend to be less lonely and isolated. This can add years to our life.
• Connection leads to greater fulfillment. When we feel joy and meaning in our experiences, it increases the feel good hormone of dopamine.
• Lower levels of anxiety and depression. People who tend to have meaningful relationships in their life report having greater capacity to face challenges in their life.
• Higher self-esteem. We are a relationship species, so it stands to reason that when we have loving connections in our lives, we also feel better about ourselves.
• It strengthens our immune system. Connection allows us greater capacity to deal with stress, allowing our immune system to better fight off illness and disease

Invest in relationships, look for connection. Understand boundaries and make the most of every opportunity to connect with those you care about. Make your circle a beautiful case of give and take, in and out, celebrating joy and supporting in sorrow. We need each other in real, honest, reciprocal relationships.

Written by Pam