Getting connected, feeling connected and being connected are the most important things in my life — I believe they are the most vital and critical elements to living happily and with satisfaction. Though I don’t know all of the science behind the need for connections, I know instinctively that humans thrive in company, and are meant to have companions in life, be it family, friends, coworkers, or fellow community, spiritual congregation or club members. People want and need to relate with each other; it seems people would rather fight with each other, i.e., relate in a negative way, than not connect at all.

Personally, I feel connected when I am alone and do not feel alone; when I am an integral part of a group; when I’m feeling part of a bigger whole, like a family, a group project, a neighborhood or community initiative, a work force. I recognize that each individual creates the larger whole, proving the value of everyone involved. I also see my connection to the planet by acknowledging the role I play in the balance of Mother Nature — humans are critical to the ecosystem.

Connection is a state of mind, a knowing that I am a unique and vital part of this universe. It’s knowing all of humanity is my family — a “we are all in this together” kind of thing. The feeling comes from my own point of view. It’s a decision to acknowledge the truth of how things are.

For me, feeling connected is feeling valuable.

So how do I get connected if I’m not feeling it? First, I must reconnect with myself. I take the time to check in and just feel my feelings: I often find that when I’m disconnected, I’m anxious, worried, annoyed or tense. Once I take a little inventory, then I can do what I need to do to relax, be it intentionally breathing deeply, releasing my body tension or stretching. Once I relax, then I start to feel appreciation for my life, and the tension disappears. I feel safe, calm and hopeful. When I do that, I feel connected to myself. Once I feel connected to myself, I start to feel the connection to others. And that brings me to feeling I belong here, to an understanding that I am a part of everything.

Getting connected, for me at least, starts from within, and from there extends to the external world of family and friends. Eventually, it makes its way to my community, country, the world and, finally, the whole universe.

How do you get connected? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.