We have been thinking about connection these past two weeks and now we’d love to take things a little bigger (of course you knew we’d go there). By now you will know what feeling connected feels like for you, and what disconnects you. Hopefully you can see how to use this knowledge to make your life richer.
So let’s talk interconnection. You often hear us talk about a thing called inter-species connection, where members of the same species do the same thing/have the same skills despite not being in communication. An example of this was noticed in the 60s when some cute little Blue Tits in Southhampton, UK began pecking through the lids of home delivered milk bottles to get the cream. Smart little tits. The interesting thing was that at the very same time, Blue Tits in the most Northern part of the UK were doing the same thing, even though there is no way either group of tits could have observed the other. (Tits only fly a few miles at the most).
If you are thinking, “Meh, big deal” you’re right. It’s a huge deal that we can communicate without the benefit of technology or proximity. This phenomenon has been observed over and over again: it’s why the daily newspaper crossword is easier to do in the afternoon, and it’s probably why you sometimes search and search for that specific new top, and it’s nowhere to be found, only to find it everywhere a few weeks later.
We think this means that our web or life is more connected than we may be prepared to admit. Of course that brings us to a challenge and blessing: it’s wonderful how our thoughts and actions may impact the lives of others (yay), and also, it’s terrifying how our thoughts and actions may impact the lives of others (boo)…Depending on what thoughts and actions we are engaging in.
This week we would love you to take a big look around- really look. Perhaps you might even go up to your rooftop, or get to the beach and look as far as you can, hopefully to the horizon. Take a big breath in and out, and think about how we are all connected in some way, whether by actually knowing someone who knows someone who you know (the old “six degrees of separation”), or by the very virtue of being in the same species.
And in knowing that, we would love you to take a few deep breaths as you honour it.
Perhaps you might even place a wish on that breath for your fellow humans. For nothing beats fear more than hope.