Mindfulness Mondays 21: Connectedness

October 19, 2009 by dr. lam

6a00d834cad15053ef00e551f113498833-800wi We oftentimes go about the day looking at each other as distinct individuals. We get lost in our own desires, ambitions, thoughts, ideas and give short shrift to those of someone else. We see them as separate from us. We are like little ants running around doing our own thing. But like ants, we are all connected in unison when we need to accomplish a task on a project, etc.

This week, instead of feeling your uniqueness and separation from those around you, feel your being part of a collective whole of humanity. Feel one with nature; feel one with your co-workers; feel one with your loved ones; feel one with strangers you encounter. Start to see them as an extension of yourself. When you see that, you will be in a happier state.

When I see a patient in pain or feeling sad about a past event, I feel compassion for them and connected on a wonderful level. Conversely, when someone comes in to share with me a great joy they just experienced in their life, a wedding, birthday, etc., I also sense that joy. I always encourage my patients to bring in photos from an event so that I can feel their joy and see it on their face in the photo. However, I already feel it in their voice and the joy with which they share their experience with me.

Remember that we are all connected. Celebrate, enjoy, feel, and be a part of that connectedness every time you see the face of someone in front of you rather than seeing them as separate from you for this week and, of course, hopefully from this point forward in your life.

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