Community is so important for your well being. I think there have been studies to say that human beings by nature are social animals and that too much time alone is never a good thing. I am even hearing and reading about the devastating effects that loneliness is having on us as a culture. We are in a very tricky space right now where disconnection is rampant whilst the possibility for community has never been so open. We have the internet which can help us find like minded people anywhere and everywhere yet we still find ways to keep ourselves to ourselves. One of my favourite things to do is people watch. I love to sit in a coffee shop and just have a good nose at people! Sometimes I can watch a whole table of “friends” sit down with each other and not speak for half and hour because they are all on their phones. I think the new technology has such an incredible capacity to connect us but we aren't using it. Once I even watch a whole table talk and text each other through their phones whilst sitting there together, it was really terrifying.
I have spoken openly in this blog before about my own lonliness. For many years I had no real friends, no real connections and people would breeze in and out of my life. It felt like there was no space for connection anywhere around me. It took time but I worked hard to find that place of deep intimate connection within myself and sure enough the loneliness went away. As soon as that happened new friendships turned up and I finally had like minded playmates to connect with. I think it's all about vulnerability. People tend to respond to it in a way helps them to bring their true selves to the table. The more you invest in it, the more is can ripple through your life and create change. I'm careful not to blame technology for what's happening because I think like anything else as an entity it's fairly benign it's how we use that gives it it's power. So use your technology as a vehicle for connection. You can send a “like”, leave a comment, you can also use it to create a meet up with your friends. Start your own coffee morning, start a stitch and bitch group. I'm actually considering starting a stitch, bitch and witch group where spiritually minded folk can have a coffee, work on craft projects and have a natter. If you're interested let me know and I'll get it going!
We need community to uplift ourselves. We need to reach out. The epidemic of loneliness needs to be counteracted. I run an Origami morning once a month in Uplands and that is slowly becoming a wonderful place for people to try something new, get out of the house for a few hours and connect with other human beings. Our collective cultural lifestyle is so isolating that these things need to be acted upon more thoroughly. I see so many clients who are running around in circles to busy themselves when all they need is a friend. It's a sad state of affairs these days but the truth is at a certain age you have to work to make that happen. It can be done, I know this from experience and I'm STILL doing it! There is no friend limit! So if you're feeling in a bit of a rut with everything around you and you feel you need a few new faces to look at then go find them. Start something of your own and see where it takes you. It might work, it might not but it will start you on a journey to deeper connection with yourself. Good Luck and I'll look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Thank you,
Big Love,
Ryan James x
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