By Sherrie Frank, Wings Seminars program director
Lessons from this year about the importance of social connection
As we bring this year to a close, I think we’re all breathing a cautious sigh of relief. Is it possible the pandemic might be coming to an end this year? I sure hope so. I admit the first time I drove through town and saw the closed-up shops and empty streets, I felt fear come up. I didn’t realize how much comfort I took from seeing people just going about their day. I heard once that the greatest gift we can offer people is the gift of our presence; I’ve learned firsthand during this pandemic how important we all are to each other.
Our social connections are vital to our well-being and health. What’s also true is that creating and deepening our connections with others can feel a little scary, both giving help and receiving it. Here are a few things to remember to help us move beyond our fear and connect:
- Even when we can’t fix or change a difficult situation for someone, reaching out and connecting with them can help ease their fears and lighten the weight they carry.
- When we are hurting, we often tell ourselves we don’t want to bother someone with our troubles. And yet, when we reach out to someone for help, we are showing them through our actions that while we’re feeling vulnerable, they are someone we trust and want by our side. This exchange of support is how we create belonging in our lives.
- Knowing we are both loving and loved is at the heart of our social well-being.
This year has had its challenges and I’ve learned a lot about what’s really important to me and where my joy comes from. These days, as I take my daily walk through the neighborhood and I pass a fellow walker, I express my gratitude for their presence in my life with a smile and a wave. I am also calling people without a reason to call other than to be and stay connected. These connections lift me up and on a difficult day they renew my spirit.
I like to imagine that when the time comes and we are able to sit around our tables together once more, we will share our stories about this experience and use what we’ve learned to make our families, friendships, and communities stronger than ever.
Tip: Think about what you’ve learned this year about yourself, your relationships with others, and the people in your life. What will you do in the coming year to support your well-being?