Radically Connect

When my neighbor and I connect by Ben’s garden between our homes, the topic arises that she’s seen families interacting with their own phones while seated at a table together in a restaurant.

We wonder about the missing connection during their shared time out.

And my neighbor has concerns that so much time connecting with screens affects feelings of compassion.

Perhaps.

I suspect the answer is as complex as we are.

Here’s a brief response that arose in me a couple days after my neighbor’s remark.

We seek everything outside of ourselves or we seek everything inside, or we heal into integrated wholeness, becoming authentic, compassionate humans who share gently and allow with discernment what’s outside in.

Growing up, our family always ate dinner accompanied by the news while my soul ached with the lack of connection.

Thankfully, 20 years have offered the blessings of forgiveness and evolving compassion.

I honor and love my parents, Dad now deceased and Mom with acute dementia, so in-person connection isn’t possible anymore.

They deeply loved one another and us, and they gave their three daughters wonderful care and upbringings, plus my soul’s longing for a connection that was absent.

Now that I’ve healed into this version of myself, I understand that we all do the best we can with the consciousness we carry.

They hadn’t healed into their own belonging within, and I hadn’t, so true connection couldn’t result.

Connection.

To ourselves. To one another. To our higher power. To nature. To creativity.

What comes to your mind and heart when you consider this limitless word?

Will you journal about this?

Will you call a friend?

Write a letter?

Limit screen time?

Meditate?

Invite a dear soul to visit?

Ahh….

This afternoon, friend and radiant creation lover Amena McShea came to visit, to see where Ben and I live now, and to expand her wardrobe of radiant creations.

When I told Amena I’m feeling called to rename Circle of Joy – Come Home to Yourself, since this is the road I’ve taken, and the one many long to walk, she smiled, saying:

I wake up every day knowing I’m living my life’s purpose. It’s delicious, and it brings me great joy. I had no idea it would feel this good!

Woo hoo for you, dear Amena.

She glows, telling me of her full-filled life that’s purpose full now that her life, training, and gifts have gelled into her work coaching clients and her work with a beautiful ministry.

That’s an exciting connection, my friend; I’m so happy for you.

May you expand your sense of connection to multiply your joy!