A Case for Connections

12th June, 2010 - Posted by L. John Mason -

This is not an article about technology or electrical connections between electronic devices. It is an article about interactions between people; social, emotional, or spiritual connections.

“No man is an island,” is part of a quote by John Donne in 1624 that can be understood to mean that humans benefit from connections and the loss of any connections may contribute to a reduced quality of life.

Everyone has felt the emotion of loneliness. Most people feel sad or insecure when we have too much of only our own “company.” Some people can get by with a minimum of human interaction. Some people start whining within seconds of being left to their own thoughts and seclusion. So, how much interaction is necessary for you? How much is too much and how much is too little? When do you start feeling lonely? Do you even like yourself enough to want to spend time with yourself or do you cringe at the mere thought of being left home alone? How aware are you regarding the loneliness, fear, or sadness experienced by the people you share space with? Do you ever make eye contact and interact with people for their sake and for the larger sense of human connection?

I believe that everyone benefits from some level of social connection. Babies will not thrive without contact, and this connection, with their mothers (or fathers) or their care givers. Some babies die when they have little or no human interaction. If you doubt this, research the baby orphanages of Eastern Europe and the physical, emotional, and intellectual damage that is done to emotionally neglected babies. Also, consider the use of television as a child care convenience and see the damage that the lack of parental involvement causes for our “neglected” but media “plugged in” children. (More about this in other articles.)

Each living creature is part of a larger consciousness which thrives on positive interaction. For me, an image which came to me in a meditation nearly 40 years ago comes to mind and still resonates with my “spirit,” suggests that all living creatures are like molecules of water moving down the “golden river of life” and we resonate with all other “beings” in this river. Perhaps this is too metaphysical, but at the time I experienced this image I had an emotional or spiritual feeling of connection whose memory still brightens my consciousness. It allowed me to feel that we are not alone and completely isolated, but part of a much larger and complex interaction of pure consciousness.

In conversation with my sons last night, my older son told me a story of simple, but powerful, connection when he described an experience of making eye contact with a disabled person so having a brief connection with this individual that he then described as mutually beneficial. He reached out to touch this person through gentle words and eye contact that communicated mutual respect and was an invitation to become greater than just lone souls, if only for a brief, but nourishing moment. In our “busy” lives do we stop often enough to emotionally reach out and to connect with fellow travelers? One of the benefits of the media is a burgeoning plethora of television programs where volunteers, even total strangers, get involved in projects to assist other people. As viewers watch, they experience some of uplifting emotions of people reaching out to offer energy and time to assist another person or family. We all benefit, even as voyeurs, to the good deeds of volunteerism and connection. We feel the benefit of social connection through voluteering support.

If you can get involved in a group voluntary project, give it a try. You will feel better. If you do not have the time or the energy or the physical ability to volunteer, then just reach out, make eye contact, and connect with a person, anyone, who may benefit from connection. AND, we all need connection.

This act of volunteering can be a selfish act, because remember YOU will get a great deal from this action. You will thrive. You will benefit. So do it early and often and help sheppard humanity and consciousness to the next higher level. Role model this for your children. Role model this for our world. Reach out and create a connection… Remember, at the very least, you can reach out, make contact, and share a moment…

Respond at www.dstress.com and please take good care of yourself.