The Necessity of Connection
These days I find myself reflecting deeply on relationships. More and more I’m seeing it’s power manifested in the moods, health, focus and successes of those around me and even in myself. William Glasser, an author whose ideas are so unorthodox to those of us who have been socialized to believe that we are constantly being acted upon, makes some powerful statements about the role relationships plays in our happiness.
See it may be easy to fool ourselves into believing that if persons hurt us we can do well to avoid relationships or connections all together. It makes sense to us because we feel that we are protecting ourselves from inevitable hurt. But the minute we stop connecting with others is the moment we choose misery over happiness. Glaser states that objects that are often used to reduce misery can only give us pleasure, a good example being drugs. And then we must constantly pursue that thing to maintain that pleasure. When it’s really our connections with people that help us find and sustain lasting happiness.
Even if we were to reflect on the relationship between God and man we would see that relationship is what is truly emphasized in the bible. Jesus stated in John 17:3, that eternal life is knowing the one true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent. This points not to rituals, not to an object, not to a symbol but to a connection. If we being created in God’s image decide that we can live without connection, to others nor to God, we may then be pursuing a life of misery. And by connection, I mean friends, family, lovers anyone whose presence in our life satisfies us. The bible never encourages us to live in isolation but to pursue fellowship, unity and unity.
I say all of this to say that, making connections is a vital part of living well. Our relationships are really what we should be safeguarding, fighting for and looking closely at. Instead of fighting for material things, power, accomplishments and experiences at the expense of those who care about us, we need to learn to do relationships right. When we do this, we are bound to get from them the due reward of knowing and loving someone who makes the effort to know and love us back… joy.
Don’t you want to know how?……. Stay tuned.
Be a blessing,
KellyP
I am currently Reading: Choice Theory by William Glasser
Kelly is the founder of Royalty Press United. Author of the Gemstone Royals fantasy series, Twist of Faith and Crossroads. Counseling psychologist, proud Grenadian and devoted follower of Christ.
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