By Lauren Catanese

“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derived sustenance and strength from the relationship.”  

-Brene Brown

Life is all about connection. Brene Brown says, “We are hardwired to connect with others, it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.” Do you agree? When we connect we feel love, support, understood, and it fills us up. It’s not just about connecting with others but also with ourselves, nature, and the divine. And when we do, we remember who we are; beings of light and love who long to give and receive that which we are to others.

I love the times when it comes by surprise; you connect with someone that wasn’t intentional just seemed to happen. Volunteering with hurricane efforts this past week, we were helping clear trees from an older man’s yard. He is 67 and has lived in Lynn Haven his whole life. The big oak tree he planted when he was 7 years old had fallen on top of his house. Luckily his home was still standing. He and Minnie Pearl, his Chihuahua, rode out the storm together. We were all pretty busy working until the end of the day when he invited us into his home. The man had more pictures in his house then space to put them. His home was graced with family pictures most of which were of him and his late wife of forty years. She had passed away 10 years ago, but he talked like she was still there. (I’m sure she is.) When asked if he still played the guitar that rested against the old television set, he said he hadn’t since she passed. But we got lucky enough for him to take a seat and he began strumming away. I was crying quicker than I knew as he sang the song, “Last kiss” for his sweetheart in Heaven. I felt my heart bursting open with gratitude for being a witness to this moment. For having this connection with a man I never would have met had circumstances been different.

Connection. It just happens and it’s those sweet sweet moments in time that we feel the magnitude and power of the energy that connects us all. Maybe that is why it feels so gratifying when we allow ourselves to stop, let go, and be present with those around us. We feel the energy of love that is always flowing. It is what makes life so precious. Here are a few tips I have, about how to connect deeper. I hope you too can feel the joy it brings.

1. Say yes to life. It takes getting out of our routine and saying yes to experiences we might otherwise feel we are too busy for or didn’t plan. Allow yourself to have some spontaneity and see where it takes you.
2. Put a little effort into it. Think about all the people that you interact with on a daily basis, and take the chance we have to exchange energy.
3. Stop the chatter. When we are interacting with someone our minds just start racing. We have to let the noise soften and pay more attention to how we feel.

Honor the gift. I believe it is our God-given right and purpose to connect with others. Being grateful when we are able to share with others in a way that leaves us feeling more alive is a blessing we can feel worthy of and accept into our lives. Trust in the power, the energy, that lives within us. Cherish the moments when you share that love with others. Happy relating SoWal!

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