Resilience and Connection

I've been thinking and studying a ton about resiliency lately. One thing I've realized is that we have a new way of being in the world and we jumped into this with reaction. Now is a great time to rethink how we want to respond instead of reacting. Our coping skills might need to be tweaked or refreshed.

One of the major variables that contribute to resiliency is connection. I asked my family over dinner last night how they feel connected in the world. The 14 yr old said he felt connected through food and then side-grinned at me. The friend of the 17 yr old said he felt connected when making music or being creative with creative people. The 17 yr old said through friends and family. My partner said his work, and some of his very best friends were made at work and continue years later. I know that over time I've found it in a loving and supportive church, groups of friends who are open and push me to be my best, my sisters who love me no matter what, and my parents who are always there and look for a common language.

I went back to Mr. 14. He told us it's nature. He can sit on a kayak on our pond for hours and be happy, or explore the grape vines and raspberry bushes (maybe it is food for him!), or just wander around outside by himself for hours and think.

How do you feel connected? Do you have a community or partner or purpose/mission? Do you feel it in the woods or at the ocean? Have you tapped into it lately? How might you do that this week?