I really love to walk our dog through the local churchyards. I find the quiet and stillness of the environment so peaceful and I enjoy reading the headstones for all the people no longer with us. I was recently walking through the lovely churchyard of Cheriton Bishop and it dawned on me how similar the inscriptions were on each of the headstones, regardless of whether they were from the 1700s or 2000s. All the stones mentioned how the person who passed away was a dear and loved family member and/or friend.
It got me thinking of how important connection with others is throughout our lives. So much so that when we die it is the aspect of our humanity that is remembered and carved into stone as a monument forever.
So, I’ll get to the point, is there something that we can do, particularly over this Christmas period when perhaps some people feel lonely rather than joyful, to offer some form of connection to someone? It may be as simple as an authentic smile to a stranger, or a phone call to someone you’ve been meaning to get in touch with, or offering to help someone when they need it. Because that person, whether you know them or not, has as deep of a story and history as you and deserves real and from-the-heart interactions as we all do.
As a bonus, connecting with others is unbelievably beneficial to our own health and happiness. It is said that people who connect socially can live stronger, longer and healthier lives, have higher self-esteem, have an improved immune system, and reduced stress. So, it’s a win-win for everyone!
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas period and a healthy and happy New Year and 2025, filled with beautiful connections!
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