Feeling lonely? Isolated? Too busy with work or life to have a life?
Single or married, I’ve had quite a few friends say to me lately that they feel more disconnected than ever.
Maybe it’s time to take a fresh look at our life connections—or lack of them.
The internet has radically changed how we do ‘people connection.’ From my living room in Colorado, I can email my Dad in Minnesota or Facebook with readers in Brazil.
I can check out the latest decorating ideas on Pinterest, or zip over to Instagram to see what my friends (and people I don’t even know) are up to.
However, spending too much time on technology may limit a person’s face-to-face interactions and in-person friendships.
On social media, we may go wide (have a lot of so called ‘friends’) but not go deep (as in cultivating close friendships).
We all need to connect with other people. And we can do so by building bridges. Because just as bridges provide a link from one place to another, friendships connect one isolated person to another, and soon community is built.
Getting connected
We were created to need each other, to give and receive love and friendship of all kinds, and at different levels.
Connection is vital to our emotional wellbeing.
So take some time to evaluate how you can balance your time on social media with your time building in-person connections. And find more joy and true contentment.
Here are five kinds of “community” to build into your life:
• Spiritual community with people at church, or in a small group, prayer group, missions team or one-on-one with someone like-minded.
• Social community through a bowling league, mom’s group, singles group, or coffee with friends.
• Intellectual community with people from work, joining a book group or other group with shared interests.
• Physical community in joining a sports team, dance class or getting a workout partner for the gym.
• Neighborhood or city community can be built be showing up at your local playground, a neighborhood block party, or mentoring a disadvantaged youth.
Of course, virtual community (online) is a way to connect with others, but make sure it’s not your only connection with other people.
Connecting with God
Of course, our connection with God is primary. Through prayer and our ongoing, daily relationship with Him, we have the most meaningful connection possible.
Prayer is talking with God, not at Him.
It’s a holy conversation of both speaking and listening.
Your words don’t have to be perfect or rehearsed, just real and from your heart. Tell God how you feel and what you need. Thank Him for all He has done for you and for those you love.
When you don’t know what to say, even the simple prayer of, “Help!” will reach the loving ears of God.
Ask God to make His presence real and close to you today.
Ask Him to help you have hope that things really can change in your life.
You can also ask God to give you courage to reach out to another person today, and to bring caring relationships into your life.
Building bridges to others, living connected, and living loved is truly possible.
One step at a time, walking by faith with the One who loves you most, connection is built.
We’re better together!
For more about beating loneliness and other topics from Jackie M. Johnson, click on Hope on the Go and find bite-sized encouragement for busy people. Real Hope, Real Fast!
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