Social Interventions

Why Connect?

As this TED talk by Harvard psychiatrist Robert Waldinger so eloquently shows - the quality of connection we have through relationships has been found to be one of the most influential factors in happiness.  Social connection is also linked to improved health whereas loneliness is correlated with mortality and other adverse outcomes.  Furthermore, many studies have shown the importance of belonging as it relates to meaning in life.  The late Irish poet, John O'Donohue wrote "One of the deepest longings of the human soul is to be seen."  To belong and connect is to be seen.  Finding, cultivating and nurturing our relationships takes careful tending and emotional awareness.  We must be able to overcome our own fear of vulnerability and shame in order to meaningfully connect as the important work of Brene Brown has shown.  Relationships take work and can be messy but in the end they are what matter most.

Challenge 1:  Pick one person today who has been important to you at any stage in your life and reach out to them and tell them thank you. 

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Challenge 2:  Reach out to a partner, family member or close friend that you feel safe talking with and ask if they would like to have a recurring date over coffee or tea or maybe a walk and to use this time intentionally.  Perhaps you might have the mutual aim of helping each other work towards a specific goal or to overcome certain fears or support each other through a loss.

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