Tag Archives: Conversation Circles

The Power of Connection

The Power of Connection

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Connecting is my word for the new year. In our fast-paced, digital world, the concept of connecting has taken on new meanings. While technology has made it easier than ever to stay in touch, the essence of true connection goes beyond just being linked by a device. It’s about deeply connecting and forming meaningful relationships, with understanding and empathy.

Beyond technology, the power of connection is in connecting first with ourselves, and then with others and the world around us. Taking time for self-reflection, mindfulness, and self-care is important. Understanding our own needs, desires, and emotions allows us to connect more authentically with others. Take a purposeful pause and practice mindfulness, meditation, contemplation, prayer, or a quiet reflection. You may also take time to foster a relationship with a higher power or the God of your own understanding.

At its core, connecting with others is a fundamental human need. It’s about sharing experiences, thoughts, emotions, and wisdom. Whether it’s a deep conversation with a friend, a shared laugh with a colleague, or a comforting hug from a loved one, these moments of connection enrich our lives and provide a sense of belonging. Maybe we can be of service to others, helping, giving, or mentoring. Conversation Circles provide a wonderful platform for connecting with others and deepening our collective and individual friendships. These connections can have a positive impact on our mental and social health.

Connecting with our environment is about fostering a deep appreciation and respect for our natural surroundings. Spending time outdoors, whether it’s a walk in the park or a hike in the mountains, can rejuvenate our minds and bodies and can have way of grounding us, reminding us of the larger world beyond our daily routines. Connecting with nature allows us to observe and experience the beauty and complexity of our planet’s ecosystems, and to develop a sense of responsibility to protect and preserve them. Simple actions like reducing waste, conserving water, and supporting sustainable practices can make a significant impact. This connection with our environment also promotes mental well-being, reducing stress and enhancing mindfulness. Ultimately, connecting with the environment enriches our lives and contributes to a healthier planet.

Connection in these different ways is essential for a fulfilling life. By nurturing our relationships with ourselves and others, embracing the digital world mindfully, and consciously connecting with our different environments, we can create a more connected and meaningful existence. So, take a moment today to reach out, reflect, and connect. Experience the power of connection. Your life will be richer for it.

Article also posted at DrPaulWard: https://drpaulward.com/connecting/

Helping Humanity - Habitat for Humanity

Helping Humanity

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Helping Humanity is the title of one of the chapters in our book, Midlife, New Life: Living Consciously in Midlife and Beyond. In the chapter, we explore environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and leadership in governments and business, and consider how we can each contribute to making the world a better place to live and work. In our communities, we practice helping humanity in many ways including financial contributions to important humanitarian causes.

I host Conscious Conversation Circles including a monthly Conscious Leadership Mastermind, a bi-monthly Midlife New Life Wisdom Exchange, and open drop-in groups for people seeking deeper exploration of member-selected topics. We contribute a significant percentage of our conversation circle membership fees to humanitarian causes selected by participants. During the past year, members selected Habitat for Humanity and Feeding America for our contributions to helping humanity.

Our Conscious Living approach embraces the three themes of noticing what is going on, setting intention, and acting responsibly, or more simply Attention, Intention, and Action (A-I-A). For a recent conversation circle, we explored the question, “What humanitarian causes inspire you to action?” So many good causes need our attention and we can all contribute. What are you noticing and where is your attention? What is your intention for helping humanity? What actions will you take to contribute to making the world a better place to live and work?

Article also posted on: https://drpaulward.com/helping-humanity/

Solo Aging

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An increasing number of people in later life are living alone. Solo aging, or solo living as we described it in our book, Midlife, New Life, may be a matter of choice or perhaps due to a change in personal circumstances resulting from the loss of a partner or another life-changing event. In the United States, more than 28% of the over 65’s, that’s nearly 14 million people, are living alone by choice or circumstance. This percentage has doubled in the past 60 years.

Sara Zeff Geber, author of Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers, was the guest on a recent Global PIONeer 50/50 Online Conversation hosted by the Pass It On Network. We discussed the challenges of solo aging, including loneliness and isolation and concerns around who will take care of us and give us advice, especially when we are in a crisis or medical emergency. This is especially the case if you have no family safety net. Aging in the right place, the benefits of home sharing, and the importance of intergenerational connections and social networks were among the topics discussed.

At 2Young2Retire, we host regular conversation circles, mostly on Zoom. Some of our participants are living alone, and the conversation circles provide valuable connections helping to overcome some of the challenges of loneliness and isolation for solo agers. We create space for wonderful conversations, explore topics of shared interest, share wisdom and experience, and support each other on journeys of collaboration and transformation. For more information about these conversation circles, go to the Conscious Conversation Circles page.

Longing for Belonging Article Image

Longing for Belonging

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The desire to belong is something we all experience. Beyond the use of the word belonging connected to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the desire for a greater sense of belonging is widespread and is a driver of our thoughts and actions. Are you longing for belonging?

In a recently published article, I focused on belonging with: belonging with ourselves, belonging with others, and belonging with our environments, rather than belonging to something. I identified five ways to satisfy our longing for belonging.

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