I focus on connection as the doorway to both healing and empowerment. That is certainly a strong statement. Could it be true? Why?
First, we can explore how the absence of connection (isolation, loneliness, obsession and rumination) leads to negative results and then lets get to the fun stuff -- how connecting makes humans come alive and thrive.
As a doctor, I care for a wide variety of people of different ages, health conditions and personality styles. Of course, I see people when they are not at their best and oftentimes when they are at their worst (not many people go to the doctor when they are feeling great). When people are ill or injured, they tend to drift toward negative thinking either out of fear or just as a result of feeling physically poorly. In addition, sick or debilitated states also lead to isolation as the afflicted are in no shape to be having fun, maintaining social ties or expanding their horizons. This is a natural tendency that is universal. It also is like "throwing kerosene on the fire". It is what we need when we have a "bug" for a few days or an acute injury but the rest and quiet which is so helpful during brief setbacks becomes a dark cloud which weighs heavy on our spirit and energy when it moves into a prolonged phase.
This is the curse of "chronic" illness or injury. The initial problem is multiplied many times over and becomes many times bigger and overwhelming when negative emotions (fear, sadness, anger, shame and guilt) are thrown in the mix. Once these dark, inner feelings surface and won't go away, we are now stuck in a lower state than where we live or ever want to be. Isolation and negative obsessive thinking are then the painful byproducts of our trapped state.
This is where connection and re-connection can work their magic. Getting out of the dark, stuck place often does not spontaneously happen. Fortunately, freedom can be induced and created. Our fellow human-beings are our saviors at this critical juncture. Looking to and being open with our "mirrors" is the key that unlocks the door of the prison cell. Getting out of one's own head (and the negative thoughts and feelings which take up residence there during the dark times) is the key to healing and regaining our power.
Many people have good strategies for setting themselves free -- exercise, yoga, music, art, hobbies. These are powerful forces for resilience and "hardiness". However, often, illness and injury make it hard to utilize our "old reliables". We have to adapt and be creative with our energy to rebound and return to health and well-being. This is where our support system comes to front and center. It is our fellow travelers in this life who help sustain us when we are not at our best. One friend can save the day or we may need a community to lift us up. Every situation and every person is different and unique so the solution can vary but the absolute necessity of genuine, real connection to initiate healing is universal. Some may be elevated by a few kind words from their doctor or spouse. Some may just need time to let healing happen but when illness, aging or injury become a pattern or ingrained, there needs to be a spark to get us back on course. That spark is connection.
Connection in electrical terms is being wired into a source of power. Connection in nature is achieved by allowing the forces of nature (wind, water, sun) to nourish and promote growth. Connection in animals comes from the same sources of nature along with nourishing food, the love of a mother and the energy from the herd. In humans, we thrive from all of these same sources but the human brain has evolved to requiring more to thrive and prosper. We need and require attention, understanding, being "known", touch, laughter, tears, empathy and hope. Our brains (the circuitry), our minds (the experiencer) and our bodies need a wide variety of stimulation to function at optimal levels. Our food is more than just elemental nutrients; our food comes from our capacity to express our needs and be our unique selves without fear of judgment or disapproval.
Evolution has blessed us with an amazing capacity but we have to "feed" our potential with these higher nutrients that come out of human relationship. Like the Pando tree, we (the Aspens) get our sustenance from our enormous root system. Plugging into our source (connecting to our fellow humans), releases the infinite power and energy we are blessed to possess. Learning to communicate from our hearts (as opposed to our heads) is the "plugging in" to the electrical source. Letting ourselves be ourselves (as opposed to who we were conditioned to be) sets us free.
This is the mission of Pando Health Groups. We are here to help people re-connect to themselves and to their worlds so they can be free to be themselves anywhere and with anyone. It is our firm belief that if we can be truly open and real, we can heal ourselves and live from a place of power and strength.
First, we can explore how the absence of connection (isolation, loneliness, obsession and rumination) leads to negative results and then lets get to the fun stuff -- how connecting makes humans come alive and thrive.
As a doctor, I care for a wide variety of people of different ages, health conditions and personality styles. Of course, I see people when they are not at their best and oftentimes when they are at their worst (not many people go to the doctor when they are feeling great). When people are ill or injured, they tend to drift toward negative thinking either out of fear or just as a result of feeling physically poorly. In addition, sick or debilitated states also lead to isolation as the afflicted are in no shape to be having fun, maintaining social ties or expanding their horizons. This is a natural tendency that is universal. It also is like "throwing kerosene on the fire". It is what we need when we have a "bug" for a few days or an acute injury but the rest and quiet which is so helpful during brief setbacks becomes a dark cloud which weighs heavy on our spirit and energy when it moves into a prolonged phase.
This is the curse of "chronic" illness or injury. The initial problem is multiplied many times over and becomes many times bigger and overwhelming when negative emotions (fear, sadness, anger, shame and guilt) are thrown in the mix. Once these dark, inner feelings surface and won't go away, we are now stuck in a lower state than where we live or ever want to be. Isolation and negative obsessive thinking are then the painful byproducts of our trapped state.
This is where connection and re-connection can work their magic. Getting out of the dark, stuck place often does not spontaneously happen. Fortunately, freedom can be induced and created. Our fellow human-beings are our saviors at this critical juncture. Looking to and being open with our "mirrors" is the key that unlocks the door of the prison cell. Getting out of one's own head (and the negative thoughts and feelings which take up residence there during the dark times) is the key to healing and regaining our power.
Many people have good strategies for setting themselves free -- exercise, yoga, music, art, hobbies. These are powerful forces for resilience and "hardiness". However, often, illness and injury make it hard to utilize our "old reliables". We have to adapt and be creative with our energy to rebound and return to health and well-being. This is where our support system comes to front and center. It is our fellow travelers in this life who help sustain us when we are not at our best. One friend can save the day or we may need a community to lift us up. Every situation and every person is different and unique so the solution can vary but the absolute necessity of genuine, real connection to initiate healing is universal. Some may be elevated by a few kind words from their doctor or spouse. Some may just need time to let healing happen but when illness, aging or injury become a pattern or ingrained, there needs to be a spark to get us back on course. That spark is connection.
Connection in electrical terms is being wired into a source of power. Connection in nature is achieved by allowing the forces of nature (wind, water, sun) to nourish and promote growth. Connection in animals comes from the same sources of nature along with nourishing food, the love of a mother and the energy from the herd. In humans, we thrive from all of these same sources but the human brain has evolved to requiring more to thrive and prosper. We need and require attention, understanding, being "known", touch, laughter, tears, empathy and hope. Our brains (the circuitry), our minds (the experiencer) and our bodies need a wide variety of stimulation to function at optimal levels. Our food is more than just elemental nutrients; our food comes from our capacity to express our needs and be our unique selves without fear of judgment or disapproval.
Evolution has blessed us with an amazing capacity but we have to "feed" our potential with these higher nutrients that come out of human relationship. Like the Pando tree, we (the Aspens) get our sustenance from our enormous root system. Plugging into our source (connecting to our fellow humans), releases the infinite power and energy we are blessed to possess. Learning to communicate from our hearts (as opposed to our heads) is the "plugging in" to the electrical source. Letting ourselves be ourselves (as opposed to who we were conditioned to be) sets us free.
This is the mission of Pando Health Groups. We are here to help people re-connect to themselves and to their worlds so they can be free to be themselves anywhere and with anyone. It is our firm belief that if we can be truly open and real, we can heal ourselves and live from a place of power and strength.
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