“We are constantly being invited to be who we are”.
~Henry David Thoreau
Human beings are designed for connection and connectedness but what does it mean to have a truly authentic connection with another human being? To me, it means that we are exchanging positive energy with one another, building trust, and forming a bond that makes us feel seen, heard, and understood and one that makes us feel a sense of belonging. Henry David Thoreau said, “we are constantly being invited to be who we are.” Yet how many of us accept the invitation to show up 100% authentically in our interactions with one another? How often do we feel safe enough to bring our whole self to a conversation or to a relationship?
While we are multidimensional people with many layers to us, most of us tend to reveal only the top layers, the surface of who we are – e.g., the work we do, the roles we play, and maybe a bit of information about our personal lives. Why don’t we go deeper into our interactions? The opportunity for Conscious Connections can be made when we share the unfiltered essence of ourselves with others, including our true identities — not just our pain, but our thoughts, feelings, life experiences, dreams, and desires.
Conscious connections require: 1) Empathy; 2) Authenticity; 3) Recognition of Commonalities; and 4) Safe, Supportive Space to Share.
Studies of neuroscience confirm that our brains are literally hard-wired to reach out and interact with other people in a meaningful way. Receptors light up when we interact intimately and honestly with friends, family and community. We strengthen our immune systems, recover from disease faster, and live longer, healthier lives. Human connection lowers our rates of anxiety, depression and suicide so why do we only share fragments of ourselves, particularly at those times when we feel our most alone and disconnected?
I believe it is because we are held back by our own subconscious limiting beliefs and fears of being misunderstood, of being judged, and of not belonging. In a world where people are hiding to stay “safe”, speaking our vulnerable truth is probably the most courageous thing that we can do. I believe the shift in consciousness and behaviors that will lead us to deeper, more fulfilling relationships and connectedness is for us to begin looking at our commonalities, and recognizing our shared experiences, because when we do that, we recognize that we are so much more alike than we are different. Check out the international organization called the Human Library at https://humanlibrary.org/designed to build a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudice through dialogue. I love the concept as it aims to address people’s prejudices by helping them to talk more openly about their experiences to better understand one another.
What a difference we can make when we show up authentically with a desire to listen and learn and be fully present for one another through more conscious and connected communications. I invite you all to join together in a Global Manifestation to raise the collective vibration and help heal the human heart by dedicating ourselves to having more conscious connections. Let’s own our stories, witness one another, go deeper in our understanding, and connect in more meaningful ways.
High Vibes + Grateful Heart! XO, Jenn
