“We are all connected; to each other, biologically. To the earth, chemically. To the rest of the universe atomically. We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”
— Neil DeGrasse Tyson —
“I AM BECAUSE WE ARE.”
Not long ago, an anthropologist was studying the habits and customs of an African tribe. After he gathered up his research on his last day there, his transport was delayed and so he waited in the sparse shade of the village trees dotted about the dry earth.
The children of the tribe were never far away; he had enjoyed their ready smiles and laughter during his stay. So while he waited the anthropologist proposed a game for the children to play. He carefully wrapped some candy and sweets he had bought in the city and placed them in a basket tied with a ribbon.
He laid the basket under a solitary tree and called the kids together. Drawing a line in the sand he explained to wait behind the line for his signal. When he said “Go!” they should rush over to the basket, and the first to reach the tree would win all the candies.
After he said “Go!” all the children unexpectedly held each other’s hands and ran off towards the tree as a group. Arriving together they happily sat down to share the candy with each other. Rather surprised, the anthropologist asked them why they had all gone together, especially if the first one to arrive at the tree could have all the candy.
A young girl replied simply: “How can one of us be happy if all the others are sad?”
The anthropologist finally realized that after all his time spent studying their customs, it was a simple children’s game that truly showed him the essence of their beliefs and way of life.
“Ubuntu...is about the essence of being human...it is part of the gift that Africa will give the world...We believe that a person is a person through other persons, that my humanity is caught up, bound up, inextricably, with yours.”
— Archbishop Desmond Tutu —
CONNECTION AS MEDICINE
Everything is connected to everything; from the cosmic level down to you and I and our morning coffee. Chemically, biologically, energetically, and metaphysically everything in this world, is literally connected as one! There is a quiet undertow of flowing energy waiting to be tapped into each day, to ignite your senses and orchestrate your interpretation and experience of the world.
Connection as Medicine refers firstly to the interconnected energy between human, nature, and spirit as a whole; everything in life has originated from the same source; so the concept of separation is an illusion, a powerful mental construct. Connection as Medicine secondly refers to humanity’s need for collective social connections. Separation and disconnection is the disease modern humanity is battling. We need to deconstruct this concept of separation and reconnect with our innate truth.
Connection as Medicine shines the light on many solutions hidden in plain sight; from the rituals of blue zone communities that thrive together towards longevity, to social relationships that lighten the mental, physical and emotional loads of our lives, and internal reflection that connects us with the deepest parts of ourselves. Including awareness of our shadows, fears, insecurities, and even past traumas that unconsciously drive our everyday behaviors without us consciously knowing it!
SUMMARY
In this section, we will explore the origins and importance of our connections to the source, self, people, humanity, and nature. Even our fates are connected, mine over here with yours over there. I want to see you and your community thrive in life and I hope you feel the same about my community and me. Optimizing our connections is the way there.
CALL TO ACTION
Name 2 people you can confide in
1._________________________
2.________________________
REFERENCES
This is directly referenced from the amazon best-selling SelfCare Book "Lifestyle Medicine For the People" by Rory Callaghan. If you would like to read more content like this. Grab the free online chapters of the book or a hard copy.
We have done our best to reference everyone’s expert opinions, peer-reviewed science, and original thoughts, all references available here and referenced in the text.
We also understand that most thoughts are not our own and there is a collective unconsciousness, unconsciousness, and universal mind stream of energy that is always at work. How are references are sorted and filtered is here.