Connection.

Don’t forget about connection.

In my book, I outline the 3 Pillars of a Very Cool Life – Freedom, Ease, and Connection.

I make the point that you need all 3 pillars to create a VCL. Without one of the legs, the stool topples over.

Certainly the pillars overlap each other, especially Freedom & Ease and Ease & Connection…

I’ve worked with many people with lots of Freedom (often they’ve created a lot of money for themselves), but they come to me because they feel like something’s missing. As we look deeper, usually that something falls under the pillar of Connection.

Briefly, Connection speaks to our desire for meaningful, personal relationships. Meaning relationships to ourselves, to our family and friends, to our work, and often to our higher selves/the Universe/God/whatever you like to call it.

I was reminded of the importance of connection at a recent social gathering.

The happiest people were the ones who were able to connect with those around them. There were smiles, laughs, stories, and recognition flowing between one another. Wonderful energy, electricity, fun.

Other people, those I believe to be less connected to themselves and their own joy, moved to the corners of the room. Instead of opening and expanding, they seemed to close up and constrict.

As the gathering came to a close, I watched a brother and sister bid each other goodbye with a formal handshake. In fact, this was quite likely the last time they would say goodbye in this lifetime and they could not manage an embrace. (writing this, I wonder if they were connected enough to realize this?)

Now, I know nothing of their history, and I do not believe that because you are related that you need to be close to everyone in your family, but I couldn’t help feel rather sad for them. (Especially after watching people who started the day as strangers depart by hugging one another.)

Some people seem better wired for connection than others, just as some are better wired for freedom, wealth, and ease.

However, wherever you start from, creating a life of connection requires your attention. It requires awareness and effort. Relationships need to be nurtured over time to bear fruit.

But is there anything as sweet in this life as the feeling of true connection?

I’ll close with this reminder…

The connected life starts with you connecting to how you feel.

A simple thought. A worthy investment.