Have you ever walked down the street and experienced how few people actually make the connection with you, by looking you straight in the eye and greeting you? Why do you think that is?
I think - from my own experience - that we are so busy with our heads that we forget to live with our bodies and to be consciously in the here and now. To be aware of what we are experiencing through our eyes and our bodies.
Every day you pick up signals from your environment, which you do not always have to act upon, of course. But sometimes you also miss the beautiful moments that you may experience. It is also said that we are afraid to make the connection, because then the other person might see our true 'I' and the pain that is often associated with that. Stupid?
Practising making contact
Sit down with your partner, friend, parents, etc. and hold each other's right hand. Sit opposite each other and hold each other's right hand. Look deeply into each other's eyes in silence. Never done that? Uncomfortable? Why?
This is the real connection that you then enter into with the other person. It is something pure, something naked, something magical too. A small act, but big in gesture and at the same time scary for many.
Who doesn't want that, to be seen and heard? To show your true self, without being judged by others. All day long, we live with judgements about what belongs and what does not. Or we hold back, so that the other will agree. Actually, this makes life very difficult. Because how beautiful is it and how much effort does it actually take to each other for a while really see and hear? To give each other that space and to 'uplift' each other. How much more beautiful a world will we create together?
What can you do yourself?
By starting with yourself. Teaching yourself to really listen and to be there for others completely, without judgement or opinion. Just try it, the rest will come later.
What was going on in you? Did it work? Why didn't it work? What was your need, what happened? Did you feel the need to tell your story or were you perhaps distracted?
If it doesn't work in one go, don't worry, try again next time, and again after that. When you really learn to listen Without judgement, you help people to pass it on. So together we create an environment where this is normal, so that you can level with each other, and connect. Who will join me?
Making connections in corona time
As you can read, making a connection is very nice and important. But the new coronagraphs make it more and more difficult. So it's important to think about it. But how do you do that? At 1.5 metres you can still connect. For example, by going for a walk, by giving each other attention with a message via WhatsApp or a video call, by e-mailing each other or just by sending a card the old-fashioned way. Be creative and stay connected! Much love, Thanh. Do you have a question or do you want to get in touch? Send me a message.
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