In the first part of the Healing-Centered Ecosystems framework, I wrote about the Commitment to Care. For this 2nd part, we will turn our focus on our Commitment to Connection.
Commitment to Connection
Connection is the quality of being present, engaged and attuned to our relationships with ourselves and with others (both human and nonhuman). Connection also means moving away from transactional, linear engagement to a more fluid, transformational and interconnected relationships. Authentic connections provide avenues for collaboration, creativity and collective impact.
Fostering deep connections that are steeped in trust, empathy and mutual care are essential to live in a world of complex adaptive systems. Complex adaptive systems are systems of interacting individuals in which the characteristics of the system emerge from those interactions. In a world of uncertainty and complexity, our connections are our anchors that ground us to healthy social systems.
Connection is expressed through:
Regulation
Restoration
When expressed through regulation, connection takes the form of:
understanding glimmers and triggers not only of one’s self but also of others
knowing the energy brought in the room
listening with the third ear and sensing the field (pakikiramdam)
checking in with one’s self and with others
knowing how to draw boundaries
navigating conflict well
leaning into our full yes
leaning into discomfort with curiosity
recognizing our patterns and biases when relating with others
learning how to sit in the fire
understanding intergenerational traumas and how they can surface in the present
embracing emergence and going with flow
reclaiming one’s power
designing, creating and facilitating safer and brave spaces
modeling vulnerability
understanding and working with our energy
When expressed through restoration, connection takes the form of:
spending time in nature, with animals, or with family and friends
soothing one’s self and self-care
promoting stories, songs, rituals and traditions as instruments of emotional contagion
storytelling, documenting narratives, sharing lived experiences
embracing our different parts
repair and closure after tension or conflicts
asking for support when needed
prioritizing relationships
relational trust
honoring, celebrating and elevating lived experiences
tenacity to show up even in difficult conversations
commitment to build capacity (specially in deepening our inner work)
mediation
an antidote to loneliness
shifting of power dynamics
asking and offering forgiveness
finding novel ways of promoting vibrancy in the relationship (both with one’s self and with others)
Below is a worksheet you can use to reflect on your commitment to care.
Download the worksheet here:
Do let me know how you are receiving these ideas and what is bubbling up for you! I created this PADLET for those who would like to stay in the course of exploring this with me. Feel free to add your thoughts, inspirations, quotes, videos, podcast links around the different commitments.
As I further explore this framework, I would love to hear your thoughts, impressions, suggestions and felt sense when you read through the material. In the coming weeks, I will be sharing the other commitments as well as prepare a downloadable guide with activities and suggested exercises. So please stay tuned!
WHAT ELSE IS BREWING?
LEARNING SESSIONS
Join the next REFUGIA learning session on Healing Through Rituals happening this coming Wednesday, March 22 and will be facilitated by Nynke Vos, sacred time designer and facilitator. This is a 90 minute session exploring the invitation "How can rituals serve us in creating healing centered spaces?"
For the month of April: Designing Healing-Centered Spaces (April 12). You can read more about this event that I am facilitating here.
NEW PUBLICATION:
Together with Saskia Wenniger and Alex Brooks we recently released a strengths based toolkit for Neurodiversity Education Academy entitled " What's Strong with You? " with 20+ tools, exercises and activities to notice how you use your strengths, recognize patterns in leading and engaging with your strengths and how to make your strengths visible in your day-to-day life.
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🧰 I also have a page dedicated to tools and resources for change makers, community weavers and systems catalysts. You can download the tools here.