In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to get swept away by the external demands of work and family. Yet, at the heart of every meaningful interaction lies the imperative to be authentic. To be authentic, we must be true to ourselves. However, this is only possible if we are connected with ourselves. This foundational principle is at the core of the Awaken-Connect-Lead model, emphasising the deep significance of self-connection to achieve happiness. Also, as a catalyst for personal growth and genuine, meaningful relationships.
The awakening process (discussed in the last newsletter) forms the bedrock for connection. Its light illuminates the hidden corners of our psyche, revealing our values, fears, desires, and aspirations. With this foundation in place, we know ourselves more deeply, treading the path to connection through acceptance, purpose identification and introspection.
Connecting with oneself might seem unusual initially, but for many, including myself, it's an essential step towards regaining control of our lives. Many, like me, experience emotional numbness, a disconnection between physical sensations and emotions. At the extreme, one may experience dissociation whereby they mentally disconnect from their thoughts, feelings, memories, their body or even sense of identity.
"a state of being… one in which you regularly tune in to your own emotional, spiritual, and physical needs, and honor [sic] them in your daily actions."
Psychologist, connection researcher and author Kristine Klussman, PhD., beautifully articulates the essence of self-connection as "a state of being… one in which you regularly tune in to your own emotional, spiritual, and physical needs, and honor [sic] them in your daily actions." Indeed, this process of tuning into ourselves requires deliberate effort to acknowledge and embrace our innermost thoughts, feelings, and aspirations.
British politician Andrew Bennett's poignant words echo this sentiment, reminding us that "the longest journey you will ever take is the 18 inches from your head to your heart."
Whether this represents the initial chasm between thoughts and feelings, or judgement and compassion, traversing this internal labyrinth can sometimes feel like an endless odyssey, marked by moments of self-discovery, sadness, elation, doubt and revelation.
The purpose of this journey is to unite the three brains housed within our body: the head, the heart, and the gut harmonised as one. By connecting the cognitive, emotional, and intuitive mechanisms, it empowers us to decipher our bodies' language. As thoughts race and emotions surge, we learn to identify what is numb, discern the underlying sensations and hear what our body is telling us.
Just as a rope of multiple strands is stronger than its individual parts,
so is the sum of our connected self.
Imagine the brain, heart, and gut, each representing individual strands, braiding together into a rope of resilience and strength. Just as a rope of multiple strands is stronger than its individual parts, so is the sum of our connected self.
As we navigate the journey of self-connection, we emerge paradoxically not as isolated individuals, but as interconnected beings woven together by the threads of our shared humanity.
Through compassion, effective communication, and a commitment to curiosity, we amplify our impact creating positive change in our communities and beyond. Connections with yourself and others are the glue that builds honest, meaningful and supportive relationships, enabling leadership to take place.
…the remedy lies not in external validation but in the quiet moments of introspection,
where we reconnect with the essence of who we are.
In today's hyper-connected world, the reality of loneliness looms large. Despite the myriad ways we communicate, many feel more disconnected and isolated than ever. Yet, the remedy lies not in external validation but in the quiet moments of introspection, where we reconnect with the essence of who we are.
The journey of self-connection is a voyage of self-discovery, resilience, and self-sovereignty. It requires courage to face our vulnerabilities, honesty to acknowledge our shortcomings, and compassion to forgive ourselves and others. Yet, the rewards are immeasurable—a profound sense of wholeness, authenticity, and belonging.
By bridging the gap between our head, heart and gut, we unlock the transformative power of connection within ourselves and the world around us. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of our inner world, embrace the journey within, for it is in connecting with ourselves that we come alive.
Want a simple process to make it happen? Click the link below for a self-guided connection activity.
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