3 Ways to Feel More Connected
Every couple of weeks I think about what I could share with you that might be helpful - that might make a difference in your day.
Sometimes, that’s a neuroscience nugget, sometimes it’s a guided meditation to reduce your stress level or help you feel more hopeful and sometimes it’s a universal sharing - something that I’m experiencing that I think will resonate with you.
Today, as I sat down to write, I felt a little stuck. The teachings I had to offer didn’t feel alive enough. I didn’t feel excited to write about them. And then, as if on cue, I received a few sweet emails from students in my Your Yoga and Your Brain on Mindfulness communities. These were messages about the way we are connected and the difference that being supported, not just by me, but by the whole community, makes in their lives.
So there’s the wisdom I was looking for today.
Reach out!
Connect!
Don't allow this pandemic to isolate you!
Give!
Receive!
Ask for a virtual hug!
There are so many reasons to do this!
Being a part of a community nourishes us in so many ways:
It makes us feel seen, cared for and loved
It lowers our stress levels by making us feel safer
It makes us feel stronger and builds our resilience
It increases our optimism, making us feel more hopeful
It grows our feelings of connectedness, making us feel less isolated and more grateful
So here are my gentle suggestions for you today:
Identify your communities. Ask yourself where you are feeling called to give just a bit more of yourself. And then notice how that feels. Studies show that giving makes us feel even better than receiving. It builds our compassion neural networks and offers us connection and purpose.
Share a secret. Is there something you’ve been holding that feels a little too heavy to bear alone (notice what’s happening in your body as you reflect on this question). Is there someone in your life that would lovingly hold this information, that could take some of that weight off of your shoulders (or belly, or legs, or heart:)?
Ask yourself if there is something you’ve been wanting to learn or practice or put more energy into. Then find a community to join around that topic. We are more likely to follow through on our own goals and interests when we have the support of others who are doing the same.
Do any of these options resonate with you today? Then go for it! Commit to this little bit of goodness today. Make a plan. Carry it out. Notice how it feels. Savor the goodness. You are worth it!
If I can be a resource in any way, don’t hesitate to reach out. And if in your reflections you noticed that you’ve been missing your yoga or meditation practice, let me know. I’m accepting a few new Your Yoga: A Virtual Community members and offering a free 10 day trial. This might be just the place to learn, receive and connect!
And if you just feel like having a virtual cup of coffee, please let me know. I would love to connect with you!
Rachel