The Power of Connection

Why we not only need connection, we thrive on it because it is a part of who we are and who we are becoming!

I remember traveling through Indonesia and feeling a deep sense of belonging, even though I had never been farther from home in my life. It was a comfort to experience a country as joyful and simple yet rich as the Balinese. 

Theirs is a culture steeped in tradition, beginning at birth. Each child is held for the first year of life, and since a baby is just delivered from heaven, they are not to be sat down on the earth. How they care for their children and the needs of their families made way for a deeper sense of community, one I'd never experienced before.  

Their regard for nature and their connection to it is witnessed daily and in everything they do. Life is celebrated each morning with a blessing placed on every doorstep – fresh flowers, sweet incense and a prayer. 

Daily the Balinese gather in their shops beneath a sky of blooming fabric and colorful textiles as they craft their wares and bring them to life. Art and nature are a part of who they are, and the peace it instills is contagious. 

The Balinese were genuinely caring to all those around them, regardless of race or religion. As I passed through the village each morning, I was welcomed by the young to the elderly with a warm smile and a greeting. What a beautiful culture to be a part of, if only for a short while, where the very fabric of life is built on belonging, trust and connectedness. 

When I left Bali, I knew I wanted to bring these gifts of true abundance back home with me and into my own life. I also value living intentionally while creating a space where I may live a rich life very simply.

The importance of connection is a part of who we are and who we are becoming. Through all the ways we connect with nature and those around us, we experience the deepest meaning of life. 

"Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us. And that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. Our connection brings a sense of perspective, meaning and purpose to our lives." ~ Brene Brown

I realize the American culture is not like the Balinese, and it is not simple but much more complicated. Given the complexity, let us never forget the things that matter most and keep them present in the everyday moments of our lives. 

We are born through connection, and we grow through connection. Through belonging, we find our community, and through our connection, we thrive. 

Rituals to Support You

• Begin each day in quiet gratitude – although we don't awaken to beautifully scented offerings on our doorstep, we can still celebrate nature with a single flower and a lit candle
• Nurture your mind and spirit with daily inspiration 
• Connect with yourself through the breath – remember what matters most to you 
• Build your community – those that support you in "being" your truest self
• Nourish your body through movement and self-care
• Connect with nature
• Let go of chaos and clutter
• Create space for the people, places and things you love
• Celebrate the community you are creating

We were born through connection, grow through connection and thrive through connection. 

Together, may we continue to "remember" our truest connection and "thrive."