Do you often hear the idea that "we are all connected." I noticed this year as I binged on Hallmark Christmas movies how often this notion was mentioned. I also have noticed that "self help" bloggers find this theme attractive to their audience. You probably know me well enough by now that frequent use of a phrase gets me to pondering.
The best way to ponder is by what I call "walking the brain." This involves asking and answering four questions that dominate the four quadrants of the brain.
WHAT? WHY? WHO? HOW?
WHAT does it mean we are all connected? It certainly is not a reference to our physical condition since we definitely have freedom of movement separate from each other. So, it must be referring to connecting that which makes us who we are absent our physical condition. That leaves the idea that somehow each of us are connected to all others by our soul.
What connects our soul one to another?
Do we all have the same goal or vision for life?
I don't think so
Do we all have the same personality and needs?
There's no evidence of this
Do we naturally have empathy with what each other is feeling and experiencing?
If so, we would not be forever disappointed at how much we are misunderstood
Does social identity connect us with some and divide us with others?
Finding our self concept in one group works against being connected to all groups
Is there a universal code of justice that binds us together?
Maybe that is more a moral obligation to justify ourselves than selfless love
Human psychology (the study of the soul) does not support the idea that our soul's are connected. Mankind has not lived throughout history as if "we are all connected." Let's keep searching.
WHY do we think "we are all connected"?
There is a possibility that the message "we are all connected" is more about marketing. It is quite appealing to attach a movie or a blog or a book to the idea of "connectedness." This makes us feel inclusive. It's not a surprise, however, that deep down in the human condition, people are quite lonely. Some cultures emphasize "rugged individualism" and some value the group that we belong to. One culture leads to blame and the other to shame. Neither is hardly evidence of a positive effect of "connectedness." Regardless of the culture, experts who deal with the soul find that in spite of how busy we are or how many people we have in our life, people still find that their soul feels alone.
So, maybe we aren't really connected to each other. Maybe there is some built in deep longing that we want to be. Possibly, we need to think we are "connected" so we can eliminate the feeling we aren't.
There are some WHO questions, too. WHO would be responsible for connecting everyone? WHO has the power? Not me, do you? WHO does this message appeal to?
Everyone, that's what makes it a good marketing tool.
Is this idea of "connectedness to all" only an empty marketing ploy or is it actually real? Let's keep pondering.
HOW do we reach a point where our soul is connected to others? The typical approach to marketing is the "power of positive thinking." "I think, therefore I am" is a prevailing and popular philosophy. You believe this? Certainly, our thoughts have some power over our feelings, but do they have the power to actually connect our soul with all others?
We can seek intimacy with others through personal vulnerability and trust. When we make this connection, we say "we know each other" in a way that is not only in our heads. It's primarily a heart knowledge and does reduce or eliminate loneliness. When we are fortunate to have such deep trusting relationships, we get a glimpse of what it means to be connected to another. This is hard work and risky and occurs for each of us with only a few other people, if ever. Having this idea of "connection" with all of human kind is just not possible. Thus, having one or a few intimate relationships enriches our soul but does not satisfy the claim "we are all connected."
This intimacy that some find in one or a few other people offers a hint at the opportunity for being connected to others. BUT, its not what is advertised. There must be a power beyond ourselves to make this happen.
The only option for this power that I have ever heard of is what the King of this universe does in us and for us. The Apostle Paul uses the body as a metaphor for what God does for all who know Him (this is the intimate heart type of knowledge). Not only does this connect our soul to Him, but in doing so it connects our soul to all souls who are connected to Him.
The really GOOD NEWS is He does all the work. He chooses us. He pursues us. He pays the whole price and provides all the power. It is a lasting connection. It can't be stolen from us and it will never rust out. AND, best of all, this body has many parts, ALL CONNECTED to one another.
So, when you find the world is marketing the idea "we are all connected," make sure the marketing effort is sponsored by the One who has the product. Otherwise, you are relying on illusion, just another advertisement gone astray.
That's what I get when I ponder "WE ARE ALL CONNECTED" ....
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