
We are social creatures. As humans, we need to connect with others to not only survive but thrive. We are living in the midst of unimaginable uncertainty. We could be defining a new normal, one that is different from what we have known. We all know our ability to connect in ways that have been meaningful to us have changed. I (Paula), didn’t really realize how much this impacted me.
On a Bad Day
On a good day, when I am being intentional, I recognize that building new muscles and choosing my mindset is crucial to my survival and vital for me (actually all of us) to thrive.
But on a bad day? On a day when I was feeling the loss of connecting with people outside of my home. A day when I was overwhelmed by our governor’s mandatory ‘Stay In Place’ order. A day when it was cloudy, cold and rainy. The only way I can describe it is to say that I was lost. I was scared, and I was sad.
Intuitively I knew I had to stop the downward spiral, but I wasn’t sure how. I would love to report that I had a brilliant insight in that moment, but that’s not true, I was just desperate. I asked for help.
Insights are Brain Tools
I found the courage to talk out loud about my fear. By the way, this was hard even for a professional coach! My insight came during that crucial conversation. I felt the power of release as I talked through what was on my mind.
My insight reminded me that connection matters. That we actually need each other to survive. That as our habits/routines are forced to change, we CAN find new ways to connect. My insight is: Together we are Better. With this insight, I started exploring new ways to connect. I chose a new path to go down versus the one I had been on. I’m not sure I would have done that without this insight (or at least not as soon as I did).
Insights expose new connections our brain is making. Sometimes when we have an insight, it feels like an ‘aha’ moment. In that moment, our brain has found a new path – a path that means something real and relevant to us. Whether it’s obvious to someone else doesn’t matter. In that moment, it is a new neural connection for us as individuals. That moment can be a tool if we decide to use it.
New insights can come in so many ways: reflecting, conversation, reading an article…finding the courage to share what is on our mind. What insights have you experienced lately? How are you utilizing them as new tools?
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